The Same

Book 3 : Differences

By James Moore

Disclaimer: The characters in this story are not mine.

Chapter 3

Friends or foes

3 Days Later

"Goodbye!" "See ya in 3 months!" "Bye, Shippo! Take care!" These and more farewells were said, before 3 groups set out from the village in seperate directions.

Inuyasha and company had decided the day before to do as Kaede had suggested and try to recruit people to help them fight Jigoku Kumo and Naraku. They had split up the group first by who needed to be trained by who, and then who would work well together. Kohaku was paired with Sango and Kirara, and Kagome was paired with Inuyasha and Myoga. Sango and company were going to mainly try to find any of the other demon slayer villages Sango had heard her father talk about, but also talk to any group, kingdom, or village they ran across. Miroku and company were going to every village and try to recruit people, while also stoping at every royal place and trying to talk the leader into helping them (Unfortunately, Miroku thought this meant using his old trick of saying that there was a demon in the place that needed to be exorcised, but instead of asking for a place to stay, ask them for their help). Finally, Kagome, Inuyasha, and Myoga were going to try and find all their friends/foes/enemies that would be willing to help them, like Totosai, Kouga, and Shesshomaru.

The first person on Kagome's list to find was Kouga. It may not seem like it, but Kagome always thought Kouga and Inuyasha were more friends than foes, that it was just a male thing, trying to show one another up. So, they were tracking Kouga's scent (Kagome was. Inuyasha said it was training for her.). Apparently, he had been headed for the village recently, but before he got to it, Ayame's scent joined his and they left. Maybe Ayame was draging him away from Kagome thought Inuyasha when he smelled her. There had been a fight of some sort there. He noticed something different about her scent, though he couldn't place what was different. It was almost like Kouga's scent had combined with her's, creating a slightly different scent, but still distinguished from Kouga's. Now he was curious and wanted to find the wolf.

It took them 3 days to find Kouga and his pack, who were on the move, again. When the three of them did, Inuyasha was the one to get their attention. "Hey, wolf. Ready for a fight?" Kouga smirked and stopped, stopping the pack. "Always happy to oblige a mutt." Then he noticed Ayame, who had moved beside him, looking worried for him. This brought brought back memory of what had happened in the last few weeks. "But not now. Besides," he paused, trying to make what he was about to say dramatic, "I've given up on Kagome, seeing as she's become a mutt like you." He recieved two lumps on the head for that, one from Kagome and one from Ayame. "Don't call Kagome/me a mutt." Afraid of the mad women, Kouga changed the subject. "So, Kagome. How'd you become a mu...half-demon like Inuyasha?"

Kagome noticed everyone looking at her and got nervous. "Um...Could we talk about this somewhere a bit more private?" Kouga sighed and guestured for Inuyasha and Kagome to follow him. Inuyasha noticed Ayame was being a bit close to Kouga. It suddenly hit him like a ton of bricks. Did they...No...Kouga refused her for Kagome...But he said he had given up on her...Only one way to know for sure He gazed intently at Ayame's shoulder, but couldn't see if it was there, because her cape was covering her shoulder.

Kagome noticed Inuyasha's stare. Anger flew through her body, but she calmed herself. Relax. He's not checking Ayame out. He's just...thinking. Yeah, thinking. It sounded pretty weak to her. Then she noticed he was just staring at Ayame's shoulders. "Inuyasha, what what are you thinking," she asked, suspicion thick in her voice. "I'm not sure, but I think those two have mated," He wispered. "Well, what do you know. The mutt figured something out." Inuyasha and Kagome looked forward to see Kouga looking over his shoulder at them, his arm around Ayame's waist. She was also looking back at them, her face beaming. "We mated a couple of days ago, actually," she said.

Kagome immediately pulled her aside. "Wow, thats great, Ayame. You finally got your man." Ayame giggled and nodded. Kagome continued. "So, how'd you do it? Did you have to tie him up or something?" Ayame shook her head. "No. Actually, he came onto me. When he got a whiff of you as a half-demon, he charged torwards the village, ready to "rip Inuyasha an new", well, you know. Anyways, thats what he said. I finally caught up to him and tackled him. He put up a fight, but I was able to talk him out of hurting Inuyasha. I finally had to drag him back to the pack. He pouted for about a day about losing you to "the mutt". After that, he came to me and said he loved me, and things just carried on from there." "Wow," said Kagome. She was relieved that Kouga wasn't going to fight Inuyasha anymore, at least over her. Kagome's school girl side showed up then. "So, what's he like in bed?" Ayame blushed. "Amazing. I've never felt so..." Her eyes glazed over as she thought about that night.

Meanwhile, Kouga and Inuyasha were left alone with each other. Tension was high for a few minutes. Finally Kouga broke the ice. "So, How did Kagome become like you," he asked. All Inuyasha said was, "Shikon Jewel." Kouga raised an eye. "Why?" "Look. If you want to know, ask Kagome. I don't feel like telling you. Besides, we have something more important to discuss." "Like?" "Naraku. He's not dead. Turns out he was just an incarnation of an even stronger demon." A serious look crossed Kouga's face. "Tell me more." Inuyasha began going over what had happened and about Jigoku Kumo and Naraku. Somewhere during the discussion, Ayame and Kagome rejoined them. When Inuyasha finished, Kouga stood up. " The bastard who killed my comrades isn't dead, so I agree to help you." Feeling how tense the air was, Ayame ask Kagome, "So, whats new with you two?" Both she and Kouga were confused by the sever blush that appeared on both of the half-demon dogs.

Author's note:

Sorry about the wait everyone. Here's the new chapter. Unfortunately, the chapter after this was supposed to be released on Christmas day, but that didn't happen. I hope you all don't mind it being a little late.

Also, just a reminder, I am looking for someone who could do some fan art for me. contact me if you can or you know someone who can.

Finally, check out my new stories, "The Evil Within" and "Nuku Nuku Bell". They aren't as far along as "The Same" is, but will be updated soon.