Chapter Ten-The Scheme of Shippou

Saraku ran for a long time, unaware of the darkness at first. Had she noticed it, she wouldn't have cared. She just had to get away from the conflict. She didn't know where she was until much later. I'm lost….again. Let's just face it. I'm going to be lost no matter where I go here. Well,at least I don't have to listen to those two fight anymore. After a while longer, the girl sat down. "This'll be a good spot to camp. " She began to make a bed with the trimmings of branches, and her cloak that Miroku had given her. "Stupid Inuyasha. If he hadn't been trying to keep me against my will, Lord Sesshoumaru wouldn't have had to come!"

"Perhaps he thought Sesshoumaru wasn't doing good with you." Kouga, with a woman, and little girl came from their hiding places.

"No, he just doesn't like his brother. But why am I to blame for it?" She looked down at her hands, away from the wolf prince.

Achika looked at Kouga, asking the silent question with her eyes.

"Saraku. Perhaps you'd better come with us for a time. It's not safe for you to be wandering alone, lest Naraku take you away again." Kouga held out a hand to help her up.

"O-okay." She stood up, and looked up at Kouga, blinking. He was definitely different than three years ago. "Thank you,Kouga."

"You're welcome." Kouga picked her up. "So, what happened this time? No, wait. Let me guess. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were fighting again?"

"Yeah. That's all they ever do. I don't wanna go back to them unless they can get along."

"That's going to be a never. You're more than welcome to stay with us until then." Achika told her.

Saraku blinked. "Well….Okay." I guess I will. This is going to make Inuyasha furious. He hates Kouga! A smile played on her face, when she realized how badly Inuyasha could be hurt by this. She grinned at this, and then let Kouga carry her off to his den.

********************************************************

Elsewhwhere, Kagome was beginning to realize that Saraku was pretty fast for a child. "I can't believe we haven't found her yet."

"We'll find her, Kagome. I promise." Inuyasha looked down at her. "Don't worry."

"Well, if you and Sesshoumaru hadn't been fighting like school boys, this wouldn't have happened!" Kagome suddenly flared.

"Hey, you know he was wrong, Kagome! She could've been seriously hurt!"

"But she wasn't! Sesshoumaru acknowledged his gratitude, and his mistake. Why couldn't you let it go?"

"Okay, you want the truth? I'll give it to you straight." Inuyasha sighed deeply. "I missed her, Kagome. We both know she'd never stay otherwise. My brother has more to offer her than we do."

"But it doesn't have to be like that! Inuyasha, you, and Sesshoumaru have the same father. You're brothers. He's already helped you more times than we can dare to count. Why can't you set aside this little grudge you have?"

"Don't you think I want to?! He's the one who won't give me a chance! He took Saraku away from us, and you're defending him!"

"Don't yell at me! You're the one who pulled Tetsuagia out! If you had just spoken to Sesshoumaru civilly……"

"Civilly? I don't think he even knows the word. Let's just face facts. I'm a half-demon, Kagome. As long as that's true, I'm never going to be good enough to be his brother."

Kagome watched her mate walk on, with a sigh. Poor Inuyasha. He wants an older brother so badly from Sesshoumaru. It's gotta be tough on the guy. I'm going to get the bottom of this, somehow. "Inuyasha, wait up!" She ran to catch up with the half-demon.

"Kagome, wait! I found something!" Shippou had been exploring a certain section of the clearing they were in.

"What is it?" Kagome walked over to the young kitsune.

"Tracks. Wolf demon tracks."

"Kouga….." Kagome said softly. "He took her away again, I bet you."

"But he just got done helping us rescue her!" Shippou argued.

"I know, but maybe he's not hurting her this time. Come on. We have to tell Inuyasha."

"I don't think we should." Shippou said suddenly, folding his arms.

"What? Why not?"

"Maybe they'll both realize their stupidity if they don't find her." Shippou suggested.

"Shippou…." Kagome had to admit the idea was very appealing. "Alright. In that case, I'll go tell him that I'm ready to go back to camp. Then we have to wait for Sango and Miroku. Just to be on the safe side, don't tell them either."

"Sounds good." With that the two schemers went to find Inuyasha. Kagome only hoped this plan would work. When it was safe, she'd go get Saraku herself. Kouga won't hurt her. She was sure of it.

(A/n:A little short, I know. I'm so sorry! Hoping for more ideas next week! All suggestions from my regulars are welcome!)