Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter Two:

"Koga! What are you doing here?" Kagome spun around as she was let go, to see the grinning raven-haired wolf demon.

"Ayame is looking-" Kagome started, but Koga cut her off.

"Shh, we must leave quickly. Come," he ignored the girl priestess's surprise as he scooped her up in his arms and began to run.

"Koga, what do you think you're doing!" she yelled as they sped through the night; the shikon shards in his legs allowing them to go faster than ever. "Put me down!" she commanded, pounding the armour on his chest. Why can't 'sit' work on Koga too? she wished furiously as she was spirited away.

After a time, Koga began to slow his pace. As soon as he stopped, Kagome wriggled free of his arms and faced him impetuously.

"What are you doing!" she demanded. "What are you THINKING taking off with me like that? The rest of the group doesn't even know where I am! Inuyasha-" Koga growled, cutting her off again.

"Never mind that flea-bitten dog. Kagome, I have come to take you as my bride," he announced. Kagome's eyes widened in shock as Koga gathered up her hands in his. "I've come to marry you, and then together we will go to the mountain and rule the wolf tribes." His deep blue eyes gazed adoringly up at Kagome, who stood there stuttering,

"B-but… Koga, I… I… what about Ayame!" A slightly irritated look interrupted Koga's serene face.

"Ayame? What about her?" he asked, sounding puzzled.

"Koga, she's come all the way down from the mountain to marry you and save her people!" Kagome yelled, freeing her hands from his grip. Surprise launched itself onto Koga's face, but before he could reply, a rustling in the bushes announced Ginta and Hakkaku's arrival.

"Koga!" they stumbled out, panting. "There you are! We couldn't find-" They stopped short when they saw Kagome. "Oh. You found her." Koga glared at them fiercely.

"Yes, I found her," he growled slowly and obviously.

"Koga, um… we should probably be getting back to the mountain," warned Hakkaku.

"We're running out of time," added Ginta.

"Yes, I know!" snapped Koga. He turned to Kagome. "Kagome… I want you to come with me. Come with me and we can go to the mountain; I'll battle the demons and then we can live happily ever after together." His eyes softened as he moved closer to her. "Even start a family…" Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing,

"KOGA, WHAT ABOUT AYAME?"

"What about her?" Koga countered, sounding annoyed Kagome kept bringing it up.

"She's the leader of her tribe now! You can't just come in and take over!"

"Why not?" he scoffed, "She's just a child; not a leader.Where is she when her people are under attack?"

"Looking for you!" Kagome interrupted, sounding angry, but Koga continued over her,

"Off wandering around like a lovelorn puppy… ha. She doesn't have what it takes."

"And you do?" Kagome crossed her arms. Koga stared at her for a moment, and then sighed.

"Kagome… I just want you to be my woman. Come with me," he said, offering her his hand. For a long moment, Kagome stared at it, many thoughts running through her head.

"I…I'm sorry, Koga. I can't."

(meanwhile...)

Inuyasha took a break from running to stop and sniff the air. Damn, she wasn't anywhere around here either. Another scent reached him just as he heard approaching footsteps. He growled softly. I smell wolf. He crouched down, senses alert.

Ginta and Hakkaku came into view, tramping along through the underbrush.

"…if Kagome had just gone with him to the mountain, then we wouldn't have to be looking for her like this," Ginta muttered.

"It's not fair Koga gets to stay behind while we have to trudge around searching for his bride-to-be," Hakkaku added.

A low growl escaped Inuyasha.

"Did you hear that?" Ginta stopped.

"Hear what?" snapped Hakkaku, walking on. "I didn't hear anything. Besides," he continued impetuously, "If he had just married that little wolf demon in the first place we wouldn't be here."

"…but oh, no, wasn't good enough for him," Ginta grumbled incoherently under his breath. Their voices began to fade into the distance again, but Inuyasha had already heard enough. He sprung from his hiding place in the trees and barrelled off the way the wolves had come. Koga is trying to get Kagome to marry him? he snarled, jealousy feeding his speed. Over my dead body!

Ayame watched from deep within the forest as Inuyasha disappeared on the trail, struggling with her pride as unwanted tears trembled dangerously in her eyes, threatening to spill down her cheeks. 'Wasn't good enough for him.' Ha. I don't care, Ayame told herself furiously. I don't, I don't. I don't care if he marries Kagome. He can have her for all I care, but he's not getting my tribe… Kagome, his bride-to-be… Ayame turned and began to run through the forest, not caring where it led her. Grandfather, it's no use, she sighed in defeat. It was never meant to be. I'm sorry I can't honour your final request. But he'll never take the tribe, she stopped short, determination drying her eyes. Your legacy will live on. That much I can promise you.

"Ayame?" she spun around to face the source of the voice. There, in the mouth of a small cave, stood none other the brown wolf demon.

"Koga?" she said harshly, quickly wiping her eyes. Koga stepped out.

"I've been looking for you, Ayame," he said softly.

"What for? To invite me to your wedding?" she snarled, her moments-ago vulnerability putting her on edge. Koga smiled mysteriously at her, eyes full of something she couldn't quite name.

"Don't you mean our wedding?"