Having decided that his stomach couldn't possibly wait, Inuyasha began to seek out some source of food. He knew that in this time, money would be necessary to acquire the things he needed. He continued his trek down the sidewalk toward what appeared to be a huddle of small buildings. Even with his now human nose, he was picking up the aroma of something delicious and he hurried along towards the enticing scent. As he came closer to his destination he also began to pick up the scent of something else, not so pleasant. It was musky and dense, like wet dog. It was a smell he knew instantly.
"You have got to be kidding me." He groaned as he came face to face with the source of the smell. In front of him was a larger building surrounded by a massive fence. Inside were dozens of wolves. Shuddering, he began to back away muttering curses under his breath when he collided with something or rather someone behind him.
"Hey! Watch it!" Shouted the annoyed, feminine voice as he almost knocked over the small, ginger-haired woman. He tripped gracelessly over her foot and almost managed to catch himself but it was not to be and he landed face first on the dusty road. He heard the low rumbling of a warning growl like that of an angry canine and looked up, coming eye-to-eye with a very large and very displeased timber wolf.
"It was an accident, now call off your damn attack dog!" He was irritated at having been caught unawares and he'd be damned if he had spent all that time fighting Kouga off only to be eaten by dog-demon wannabe in this time!
"Maybe I'd be a little more inclined to accept your request if you had apologized. Not only that, but you just ruined my lunch!" The woman was indignant and stamped her foot. "It should be a crime to mess with a pregnant woman's food!"
At her declaration, Inuyasha jerked his gaze to the woman, taking his eyes off of the snarling wolf. Oh boy, was he in trouble. Standing before him was a very irate, and very pregnant, Ayame. A gray t-shirt advertising "Dogtown Wolf Sanctuary" stretched across her expansive middle.
"Ayame?" He gaped incredulously "How did you get here?"
She glanced at the black-haired buffoon in mild shock but schooled her features not to show that he'd surprised her.
"I walked, the same as you. How do you know my name? I think I'd remember a bumbling fool like you."
"So your memories are gone? Okay, this shit keeps getting weirder and weirder." He mumbled to himself. "So if you're here, Kouga must be around somewhere too."
Ayame was again, taken aback by this stranger who apparently knew all about her personal life. The wolf beside her was still on-guard keeping the bizarre man on the ground.
"Enough Tae! Let him up! Down girl!" She instructed the canine.
Inuyasha got to his feet and brushed the dirt from his jeans.
"Thanks." He said, grudgingly. "So, you didn't answer my question. If you're here, where's Kouga?"
"Kouga is inside with one of the new rehabs. Have we met? You're starting to freak me out." She backed up, leaning into the wolf at her side for protection.
"I guess you could say that. Look, I didn't mean to scare you or anything. Kouga and I kind of go way back. I haven't seen him in a long time," he inwardly chuckled as he considered how far through time they must have traveled "could you take me to him? He and I have some serious catching up to do. I have a bit of a problem he may be able to help me with." He couldn't believe he was going to ask the wolf prince for help with anything, but if he knew Kouga, he would be able to help him get to Kagome.
Still unsure, Ayame nodded and kept her hand on the pepper spray in her pocket, just in case.
"I don't believe I caught your name Mr…" She stammered.
"Uh, just call me Yash. My real name is a little bit strange. My parents had a warped sense of humor."
"Okay, Yash. Right this way." She led the man up onto the wooden deck of the Dogtown Wolf Sanctuary building and buzzed him into the lobby, the wolf turned to stare at him one last time before following her mistress.
"Wait here. I'll go get my husband for you."
Husband! So the wolf had actually married her! He had his suspicions but he knew better than to pick a fight with a pregnant woman. Destroying her lunch was bad enough.
A few moments later, a tall man with dark-brown short cropped hair and blue eyes entered the lobby. His stance was relaxed but his face was anything but calm.
"Can I help you?" He ground out. Clearly, his wife had told him about their encounter outside.
"Wow, Kouga. You really look different, but you sure smell like the same old mangy wolf!" Inuyasha doubled over with laughter as the man stared down at him with disdain.
A sudden clarity came over Kouga, as though he was waking from a dream.
"Oh yeah, dog-breath? How about you come over here and say that to my face!" He grinned as the shorter man wheezed and stood rigid in surprise.
"You remembered?" He was leery of the sudden change in Kouga's demeanor.
"I do now. I didn't know who the hell you were when you walked through that door five minutes ago, but as soon as you called me a mangy wolf, it's like someone turned the lights on in a dark room." Kouga stared at him in disbelief. "What happened to you? Did Kagome wish you human or something?"
Inuyasha glared at him and then realized what he was talking about. He wasn't exactly the snow-haired, dog-eared hanyou that Kouga remembered.
"It is a long story, lemme tell ya," he answered measuredly. His stomach chose that moment to announce its displeasure. "Uh, I hate to impose, but do you have anything to eat?"
