School's out! That means I'll be able to write more for all of you! Yeah, I'm actually alive, believe it or not. So I'm trying to get all these chapters out, because I really want to hear your feedback on a couple... interesting twists (that you may or may not kill me for). Don't worry, nothing yet, just preparing you. Muahaha... alright, thanks for all your reviews everyone! And no, Kagome didn't know she was carrying twins. How could she? Only I knew :)

Disclaimer: Don't own any of them, much to my chagrin :(

Chapter 23 - Plotting

Kagome woke slowly, blinking and yawning widely in the morning light. She stretched, feeling the pleasant pull of tired muscles, a strange aching in her belly. Her hand came up to rest on her unborn children. She sighed, a frown marring her young face.

Inuyasha hadn't known that Kagome carried two pups. She herself hadn't known either, for she only knew what her mate did, and what he chose to tell her. It had been Kouga who had told her. But he hadn't told Inuyasha.

She knew that if he had, Inuyasha never would have left. She just knew that he wouldn't have left her with the chance of becoming a single mother of two in a wolf den. One she could take care of, they both knew that. But two, all by herself?

She sat up, not yet wanting to stand. She gazed around the cave, hearing barks and yips from outside, and the soothing sound of the waterfall outside. It was lonely waking up without Inuyasha next to her. Even in that short period of time they'd slept in such close quarters, it had become natural.

Finally she did stand up, remembering the plan she had come up with earlier on. With a brave smile, she stepped out through the waterfall, shivering at the cold water. Immediately, as she'd hoped, Ginta and Hakkaku came running up to her.

"Sister, is everything alright?" Ginta asked, concern written all over his face.

"Are you needin' anything?" Hakkaku looked a little more relaxed, but he sounded anxious enough.

Kagome smiled sweetly, bowing her head and shuffling her feet. She bit her lip as she spoke as well, and the two wolves were charmed. She had them in the palm of her hand.

"Well..." she drawled. "Where's Kouga?" she asked. The two wolves frowned, disappointed at not being her first choice.

"He's gone out on some errand or another." Ginta muttered.

"Probably getting food for you," Hakkaku added miserably. They wanted to help. Kagome attempted a girlish giggle, and the flush on their cheeks gave away the fact that she'd succeeded.

"Oh, you silly wolves, you can help me too!" They immediately grinned, beyond happy at her words. Kouga was too stubborn to ask for their help, but Kagome was much nicer than the surly wolf.

"What can we do Sister?" She tapped her chin, then glanced from one to the other with wide eyes.

"How long do you think Kouga will be gone?" she asked, a mischievous tone in her voice. The two wolves frowned and exchanged looks.

"Couldn't be too long; he wouldn't want to leave you."

"Oh, well, I was kind of hoping..." she paused for effect. It worked.

"What? We'll do anything you ask Sister!" they hastened to assure her. She smiled at them.

"I was hoping you could get Ayame for me."

The two wolves lost their smiles, this time exchanging looks of fear and apprehension. Ginta sighed, and Hakkaku scratched his head. Kagome placed a pout on her face, and both wolves immediately grinned.

"We'll get her for you Sister, but...." Ginta paused, and the other finished, "What do you want her for?" At this, Kagome lost all pretense of being innocent and looked at them with sadness and pain in her eyes.

"I need her help," she said simply, and Kouga's lackeys both wilted at the sight of Kagome as she stood before them in need. They nodded solemnly, then took off running into the hills.

Kagome sighed, then plopped down on the ground to wait.

It was night, and neither Kouga nor his two buddies were back yet. Kagome had since been ushered back into the cave, for various reasons that the wolves mumbled under their breath. She shook her head with a smile. Kouga was obeyed even when he wasn't there. Nice to know.

But it also meant that she couldn't try anything funny if he'd already told them what to expect of her. Planning to go after Inuyasha herself, she tried to look for weapons. They were being guarded by a few regular wolves and some demons, and they all shook their heads at her, and none would move to her pleas.

Ayame had to come, she had to. Not only would she be able to budge Kouga from his decision with time, she would understand Kagome's plight. Nothing would keep either two women from their men. And together, maybe they would both get their own back.

Besides, it gave her a chance to play matchmaker, if only for a little while. Under past circumstances, Kagome hadn't the chance to try and fix things. Kouga was just too damn stubborn. But Kouga was her friend, if not her mate, and she really did want the best for him.

Too bad he didn't see it that way.

She sighed again, wondering how long she'd have to keep waiting, when she heard barking and yelling from outside, throughout which there could be heard the voice of a woman. Kagome immediately tried to stand up, and had to be assisted by a female youkai who began to follow her around like a shadow. She thanked her, then waddled out of the cave.

"You know she shouldn't be here! Why in all hells did you bring her?!"

"I can come here anytime I want Kouga! It's my right as -"

"It is not! You aren't and I'm not and what are you doing out of the cave?!" Kagome gasped as Kouga whirled around to face her. Ayame looked too, her green eyes wide with anger, and then surprise as she took in Kagome's current state. Ignoring Kouga, who was still muttering curses and yelling half-sentences at her, she walked up to Kagome and placed a soft hand on her belly. Kagome looked up and smiled, tears in her eyes.

"I'm so glad you came," she said softly, and then she fell into Ayame's arms and wept. Kouga growled, leaving Ginta and Hakkaku, who he was also yelling at, and went over to the two women. Ayame looked up and shrugged and him, indicating that she had nothing to do with it, and pet Kagome's hair in an attempt to soothe her.

Finally, Kagome straightened and looked at Kouga, sniffling. "I asked them to bring her here, Kouga. Don't get mad at them," she said softly. Kouga opened his mouth to say something, anger flashing in his eyes, and she just shook her head. "I don't want to hear it. Ayame's staying." And with that he growled again and stalked off.

They watched him go, and then without a word Kagome ushered Ayame into the cave. With a polite wave, she shooed all others out, leaving them in peace and quiet. The wolf youkai looked curiously at her, wondering what was going on. Kagome sighed.

"I need your help Ayame," she began. The other nodded, waiting for more. When Kagome didn't say anything, she looked pointedly at the bulge.

"Where's your man?" she asked. "I know they aren't Kouga's, but the smell is familiar. She wrinkled her nose. "Smells like dog." Kagome smiled wistfully and nodded.

"Inuyasha, you met him before, when you met me."

"But where is he now? Why are you with Kouga?" Something flashed in the wolf's eyes, and Kagome giggled.

"Don't worry, he's still yours, I don't want him." Ayame visibly relaxed. "Inuyasha... I don't really know where he is. He left me here, for fear of our safety." She held her stomach with both hands. "He doesn't know that there are two."

Ayame frowned sadly, and reached out to lay a hand on Kagome's shoulder.

"How can I help?"

Oh yes, it's going somewhere. Well, I hope everyone's out of school and having fun, and I'll try to get this out as soon as I can! This was a little short, but the next one should be longer. Thanks for reading everyone! Oh, read my little one-shot and review it please! It only has 2 reviews, and it's been up for like, 2 months. It's really short, I just wanted to know if people want me to write more songfics, because I have a lot of ideas. Thanks again! Review! (Push the button.....)