Wow.... Umm, I'm really sorry! I meant to update waaaaay before this, but I never even had a chance to sit down and write, so that didn't go over too well. But now I'm back from my week-long vacation in Nashville! Btw, never let anyone tell you that church has no drama. Oh man, church trips are the funniest things ever, soooo much drama it's wrong! Ok, enough with my little blurb. Wow, the word blurb is actually on my computer's dictionary. Awesome. Hey, did anyone else go to IYC? If you didn't, you wouldn't get it, but if you did drop a REVIEW! Heehee. And even if you didn't, I hope you review! Please! Ok, this chapter is happy cause so am I. :)

Chapter 24 - Allies

"Can you see anyone?"

"No, there's no one standing guard over this way."

"Alright, on the count of three, we'll go...One, two..."

"What are you two doing?"

"Aaaaah!" Kagome yelped as the wolf prince jumped out of the bushes, clasping a hand to her breast where her heart was beating wildly. Ayame spared Kouga a glance, then leaned down to give Kagome a hand up. Kouga cocked an eyebrow, knowing they were up to something.

"It's none of your business Kouga," Ayame said shortly, then met his cerulean gaze with boldness. "You obviously care nothing for a woman's feelings or goals." Kouga's brow creased momentarily, and his eyes darted to Kagome, who was staring sullenly at the ground.

"That isn't exactly true," he muttered, and Ayame's eyes flashed.

"You have no respect for me, or for her!" she gestured madly to Kagome, who was now burning a hole in the dirt with her eyes. "She needs her mate Kouga, can't you see that?" She blinked slowly and broke her stare with him.

"And I need you..."

Kagome glanced up, looking at Ayame. The wolf's head was bent toward the ground, and her eyes were screwed shut. Kouga swallowed nervously, a blush forming on his cheeks.

"Even when she's taken, you still don't give up... Why can't you see what's right in front of you?" She looked up, her eyes pleading. "Why don't you see me?"

Kagome smiled sadly, and looked at Kouga. His face was frozen, and he looked horribly frightened. With a smile, Kagome walked over to him. He continued to look at Ayame, even when Kagome put her hand on his arm.

"Kouga, I need Inuyasha. I could never be your mate, you have to realize that." She smiled up at him, and he finally looked down at her. "Ayame needs you," she whispered. "And you need her."

She stepped back, and watched the pair curiously. Ayame's face showed pain and sadness, yet there was a hope that would never die out. Kouga had indecision written all over his face, and sadness was slowly being overcome by a dawning realization.

Ayame sniffed, and bent her head as she started to cry. Immediately, Kouga raced over, embracing her tightly. Her tears stopped, and she let out a whoop and clung to the prince's neck. Kagome laughed as his chokes could be heard, and "awwed" with the rest of the pack hidden in the bushes when Kouga leaned down and kissed Ayame.

Kouga looked up, glaring at the bushes, and at Kagome biting her lip to hold in laughter. Ayame blushed and giggled, then let out another whoop and dragged him down for another kiss.

"Will you help me then?" she asked later. The three of them were inside the cave, packed onto a slightly enlarged bed of straw. Ayame was struggling to cuddle with Kouga, who was still rather embarrassed for some reason. Finally he gave her an answer, dodging Ayame's flailing arms as they tried to clasp him tightly.

"Yes, I'll help as best I can. " He ducked swiftly. "Our wolves can track him." He leaned to the left. "And I'll lead the hunt."

"With me at your side!"

Kouga smiled. "Yes, with you." And he finally gave up and let her do as she wished. Kagome smiled wistfully at the couple, who were acting peculiarly childish. She cleared her throat and they both looked at her. She smiled.

"When will we leave?" she asked. Kouga frowned.

"He's only been gone a day, so he can't be too far ahead, and I could catch up with him easily." He made a gesture toward his legs, where the shards glowed brightly in Kagome's eyes. "And we'll get him back and safe."

Kagome sighed softly and lay back against the soft hay, curling on her side to try and close out the sounds of the couple behind her. Eventually they left, and Kagome frowned in her sleep, dreaming of Inuyasha.

"Wake up! Kagome, wake up!"

She mumbled something and threw out a hand, and Ayame caught in neatly with a laugh.

"That's not very nice! Come on and wake up, before Kouga leaves you sleeping here."

Kagome opened her eyes, and struggled to get up. Ayame placed a hand on her back to help her just as Kouga himself strode majestically into the cave. Kagome grinned when she saw the small bite marks on Ayame's neck, and tried not to giggle when she saw three sets of marks on Kouga.

"She's right, you know. I have a mind to leave you and let you rest." He smiled, and helped Kagome up with a strong hand. She wobbled at first, and held her belly as she felt movement within. Smiling gently and followed him out of the cave, Ayame balancing her.

"Even though he had a slight head start, it shouldn't take us long to reach him. I'll carry you, Kagome, and Ayame and the others will follow behind." Ayame frowned and said something under her breath as she fixed their breakfast.

"Do you have his scent?" she asked. Kouga nodded.

"Of course we do, we're wolves. We can smell better than him anyway." He sat down and Kagome sighed, eager to go and find Inuyasha.

They ate their food in relative silence, ignoring Ginta and Hakkaku in their loud rallying of the other wolves.

Finally, Kagome stood and stretched, and the other two jumped to their feet. Kouga whistled, and around 15 wolves gathered to the place they all stood.

"Listen up men! We're searching for Inuyasha, on Kagome's request!" he added, hearing mumbles. "He's most likely gone after Naraku, and if so, we'll help him fight! I don't want any cowards, running off in the middle of battle! Stay with me, and you won't regret it!" He turned to Kagome with a faint smile and swiftly lifted her in his arms.

"Ready?" he whispered. She nodded briefly.

"Let's go!"

"He's almost here."

Silence greeted his words, the demon ion the corner not obliged to say a word.

Naraku smirked, gazing into Kanna's mirror at the bedraggled hanyou in it's depths. From his surroundings, the filthy half-demon could see that it would only be half a day before Inuyasha would reach the castle. And his death.

To his surprise, Kagome was not with Inuyasha. He'd expected them both to come, and then he could rid them both and gather the Shikon no kakera on his own with no delays.

He glanced at the other side of the room, where the three friends were relatively safe in their holdings. All were asleep, for it was their only safe place to go.

He'd almost slapped himself when he realized that all along he could have kidnapped the friends of Inuyasha, and his prey would be lured into a trap. All thanks went to Kikyo, the lovely miko who had tipped him of the hanyou's disappearance, along with Kagome. It had given him the opportunity without worry of hindrance of any kind.

As he chuckled to himself, his attention once more on Inuyasha, Kagura sighed and fixed her master with a glare. Then, just as quickly, it left.

Seeing her own opportunity, she smiled and left quietly, flying swiftly toward her destination.

Kagome awoke as her head bumped Kouga's shoulder, and he welcomed her with a gruff, "Hello." She looked faintly around, seeing only drab scenery and a couple wolves. Most were far behind, but a few, like Ayame, were in eyesight.

Suddenly Kouga stopped, and a horrid growl ripped from his throat. He immediately placed Kagome on the ground and threw her behind him, guarding her. Within moments the other wolves had arrived, and their attacker made herself known.

Kagura landed swiftly to the ground, and looked at the wolf prince with something akin to eagerness, though her face was still frustratingly blank, with only a small smile as any hint of emotion.

"Calm down wolf pup, I mean no harm." Kouga shifted, and his growl lessened.

"Then what business have you with us?" he barked, and Kagome clung to his back in fear.

Kagura was silent for a moment, then reached behind her and pulled a bow and quiver out, then tossed it to Kagome. The miko blinked, then both she and Kouga looked curiously at the wind demoness.

She rolled her eyes. "I want to be as free from Naraku as you do. He holds my heart in his hands, and until he dies I am his slave." She shifted her stance, obviously uneasy with sharing the information. "I'm here to help," she said bluntly.

When no one said anything, she threw up her hands. "Kami, does no one believe me?" She glared half-heartedly at them. "I'm taking you to his castle, all right?" She looked directly at Kagome, and gave a tiny smile. "Your friends are safe, they're only bait. He won't hurt them."

She turned and pointed, presumably to where Naraku was hidden. "I'll take you there, but I can't fight him, or I will surely die." She looked back at them, and her eyes widened, for Kagome had stepped forward to take the weapons offered.

"So that's why..." she said softly, then looked at Kagome with pain in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered, then whipped the feather from her hair and got on.

"Follow me!"

Yaaaaaaaay! I finished another chapter! I actually merged two and gave you a fatty one because I love ya'll. Hehe, gimme reviews people! Help! I feel like no one loves me.... sniff.... - Ariana