Chapter Seven

Part Two of Running with the Wolves


"So its official! The twenty-first is the day I get married!" Sango squealed waking up Kagome.

"I'm happy for you I really am, Sango. But can I just sleep for a little longer…" Kagome groaned rolling away from her frisky best friend.

"Of course not, silly. You do know what today is don't you?"

Kagome pouted and sat up. She raised an eye at Sango.

"I guess not. What day is it?"

"The fourth of June… it's been a week… Kouga…?"

"Oh, how could I have forgotten!" Kagome stood up and began to hurriedly get dressed.

"You're just still sleepy. Though I do have to confess I would have thought for sure that Kouga would have been back by now… especially since we made that flower up." Sango laughed a little.

Kagome pulled a pink short sleeved shirt over her head. "Yeah, funny right? Well, lets hope he does get back today because your wedding is in only two weeks! And he is not invited!" She slipped a pair of denim shorts on.

Sango was eyeing Kagome's clothes. Kagome looked down to see if something was on backwards; she made a spin for Sango.

"Do I not look presentable?"

Sango shook her head. "No, you look great. I don't know if I ever told you this but I'm really intrigued by the fashion of the future." She smiled.

"No, you've never mentioned anything about my clothes before." Kagome looked over at her pile of clothes. "You're probably about the same size as me, do you want to try some on?"

The demon slayer blushed. "Oh, I couldn't! I'm sure I could never."

Kagome pulled out an orange and yellow sun dress. "Sure you could! Come on, try this on!"

Sango and Kagome spent a good hour picking out different outfits to try on. Sango was finally convinced to wear a short purple sun dress and even a pair of Kagome's sandals.

"You look good in that. You should keep it!" Kagome said finally, taking a step back to admire her best friend.

"Are you sure?" Kagome nodded. "Thank you, Kagome. This is really sweet of you. I just can't believe how different this feels. Are you positive I'm completely covered?"

Kagome laughed. "Yes, I wouldn't let you walk around with any showing that shouldn't be."

Sango's hand trailed over her bare collarbone. "This isn't too revealing?"

Kagome shook her head. "It might take some getting used to but I promise you look great."

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it, really." Kagome smiled and grabbed Sango's hand. "Come on, lets go find Miroku. He is going to have a heart attack when he sees you in this!"

They were just stepping out of Kaede's hut when I gust of wind assaulted them. Sango squealed and grabbed at her billowing dress. When the dust settled, Kouga stood before them triumphant. Both girls gawked, for there in his hand was the plant they didn't think existed.

"I went to the highest mountain in the Southern Domain but the flower wasn't there. Luckily, I met this traveling magic man, and he knew where to find it. It turns out it is in the Northern Domain, so I had to go all the way back to my home to find but I did." He held the plant out to Kagome; she took it.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize."

Kouga shrugged. "It's alright. So you should be able to fix her now right?"

"Yeah, I'll go get started. I'll let you know how it goes. Sango?"

The two walked completely stumped to Ayame's hut. Ayame still sleeping.

"Ayame wake up. Ayame!" Kagome called shaking the drooling wolf princess.

She stirred and looked around. "What?" She mumbled.

"Kouga actually found the plant… the one we made up…"

Ayame's eyes opened wide and she sat up and reached out for the plant in Kagome's hand. "He remembered…"

Sango's eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "He remembered what?"

Tears swelled up in Ayame's eyes. "I didn't make this plant up. I told you to tell him of this plant because I was curious if he would remember where to really find it."

"What made you think he would know of this plant?" Kagome asked.

"He gave me this plant a long time ago; it was the night when he proposed to me when I was still a pup." A tear dropped and Ayame nuzzled the plant to her cheek. "He must really love me."

Kagome looked at Sango who shook her head. 'I guess we shouldn't mention that Kouga had help and didn't say anything about recognizing the plant in the least.'

"I'm going to go tell him you will be better soon." Kagome said finally; getting up and walking to the door.

"Be sure to tell him thank you for me, and tell him that I remember too." Ayame said still teary eyed.

Kagome smiled. "Sure thing."

Kagome followed the path leading from Ayame's hut, she didn't have to go far before Kouga materialized.

"How is she doing? Did you make the cure?" Kouga asked breathless.

"Yes, I already gave it to her. She is already doing uh, much better. In fact she wanted me to relay a message for you."

Kouga sighed in relief and grabbed Kagome into his strong arms. He held her tightly, in return she awkwardly pat his back.

"Thank you, Kagome. I will never be able to really tell you how much I appreciate everything."

She blushed. "It's no big deal. Look, I couldn't have saved her without all your help." Kagome realized the lying was getting easier. "What you did, that was really something. Kouga, Ayame is very lucky to have you in her life."

Kouga looked miffed. "Well, yeah sure. We are practically clansman. Her Grandfather loved me back in his time and left her in my care."

She nodded. "So I've heard many times. But what I mean to say is that you must really care about her."

Kouga stepped back further. "Kagome, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying you love her Kouga. You don't have to deny this." Kagome lightly touched his arm.

His clawed hand grabbed hers on his arm. "Is that what this is about?" He stepped closer again.

Kagome was startled by his advance and firm grasp on her hand. She tried to pull away.

"Kagome, are you jealous of Ayame?"

"What?! Absolutely not! Kouga, really?"

"You just get more and more interesting everyday. I like seeing you jealous."

"Kouga, honestly, I'm not jealous. I want you to be with Ayame. She loves you and you obviously care a lot about her."

He roughly pulled her to his chest again. His breath touched her ear.

"I will never love her like I love you. Kagome, you are the only one for me." He whispered fervently.

Kagome closed her eyes and bit her lip. 'I don't know how to make this anymore clear to him.'

"Kouga, please release me."

He obeyed. When he stepped back his emerald eyes searched her swirling blues. She smiled up at him lightly.

"We really have to talk, Kouga. Look, I don't love you. I am really sorry. I don't know why you love me either. Ayame is everything that is made for you. Why do you keep pursuing me?"

Kagome flinched as soon as the words left her mouth. 'I shouldn't have phrased that as a question.'

"I love you, Kagome. I can't help it. Obviously, you dont see how great you are, yet. I can help you realize your potential if you'd like..." Kouga smirked toothily.

She gave him a look. "Kouga."

"You really cant blame me for being me. Anyways, like I was trying to say, you are everything everybody wants. Even the mutt can't keep himself away from you and you obviously will never chose him."

"Then that's it. Kouga, I'm just a challenge to you." Kagome pointed out.

Kouga's expression turned reflective. "I guess you're right."

Kagome smiled in relief, glad to have all that cleared up. "Ayame wanted me to tell you something. She remembers the flower. She was happy that you did too."

"What?"

"The flower, the one you got to cure her. It's the same flower you gave to her all those years ago when you first met her and proposed to her."

Kouga smacked his forehead. "Unbelievable."

Kagome laughed feeling uncertain. "It meant a lot to her that you did all that. She really cares for you Kouga. Let her."

She turned to walk back to Ayame and Sango. Kouga's hand circled her wrist. She wistfully faced the wolf prince.

"I will keep fighting for you, Kagome. Until the day you are taken."

She did her best to not roll her eyes. 'After tomorrow then…'

"Fair enough." She turned and went back to the girls to tell them everything was still going according to plan.


The next day was beautiful. With Ayame magically cured of her illness, she joined Sango and Kagome in a relaxing bath in the hot springs. They talked about their final installment of the plan that would take place shortly after Kaede and Inuyasha left for Kikyou's grave.

Kagome was certainly out of sorts, and Sango, if not Ayame, knew it had to do with the fact that since he stormed out of dinner about a week ago, he had been extremely distant with Kagome. She was suffering in silence though. She had a lot occupying her mind, with the whole scheming against Kouga to keep her at least fairly distracted.

Sango was dressed after the bath in another one of Kagome's outfits, a white and silver stripped tank top with a pair of tan shorts. Miroku had enjoyed so much the purple dress that Kagome didn't want to deny them of any joy. Kagome had already sent Inuyasha back to the future with a list of clothes to buy for Sango and Miroku as a wedding gift.

The three were joking and laughing as the entered Kaede's hut for lunch.

"I just can't believe how dense he can be. Should I be worried that I am so madly in love with a demon who can be so easily tricked by three women? One of whom, who has never lied in her life." Ayame chuckled, pushing aside the mat to Kaede's hut.

Kagome laughed. "Nah, Kouga is a nice and loyal guy. You two will be very happy."

Sango squeezed Kagome's arm and she looked up. Kagome bit her lip and Ayame also stopped talking. Inuyasha and Kaede were sitting quietly around the fire pit sipping on tea.

"Ah, it is nice to see that ye are feeling better Ayame." Kaede said.

"Uh, yeah, thanks."

"I'm sorry, Kaede, we were just coming in for lunch. I wasn't aware you and Inuyasha would still be here. I feel bad for interrupting." Kagome apologized.

"Nonsense, this is your home too, Kagome. Come and join us."

"Thank you." The girls mumbled.

"Keh, I'll be outside when your ready." Inuyasha stated getting up and strolling out.

"So you are going to visit Kikyou's grave today." Sango tried to steer the conversation.

Kaede nodded and took another sip from her tea. "Aye, since she has finally passed, I am able to celebrate her legacy as a priestess."

"Will you be gone long?" Kagome asked swirling the cup in her hands.

"Nah, a few hours. The hike is only up the temple steps, I will bring some incense and pray."

"I'll have dinner ready for your arrival." Kagome promised.

"Thank ye, Kagome. Now, if you will excuse this old woman, I will be going now."

They said goodbye and watched Kaede leave.

"So, all that's left is to go get Miroku and lure Kouga this way." Sango said.

"Yeah, let's go get the boys." Kagome's eyes were still on the door.


Hello, hello!

As promised, another chapter and happy 2nd birthday Netsuai! Hopefully, it will not be another two years before I have you finished!

I wanted to apologize about the lack of Inuyasha in the past couple of chapters. I miss him too! And that is why he comes back full force in the next chapter! :) Yep, our loveable hanyou makes quite the appearance! With a full blown Inuyasha temper tantrum! What is better than that?

Hoped you enjoyed this chapter! Next update will be coming soon!

hugsLovingMyKitsune