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Chapter Four

Full Metal Group

Alphonse was simply enjoying the day today. And, was working on the few pleasentries he'd found himself to be good at. Cooking. An odd talent, for one without the need for food. But one he had learned none the less. Concidering Ed could poison himself with his cooking. Besides, Ed promised to take the day at an easy pace, concidering this was his first day out of the hospital.

The front door to their room, which had just been slammed, stated otherwise. "Al, get over here! I've got the map." Came from within the living room. Yep, Ed contradicted his promise. Typical of Ed, really, but what could he do? Nothing, except slow cook the steaks which had just ben prepared of course. Al then came crashing out of the kitchen as fast as he could. Slowing down once he reached the couch, and sitting beside his brother.

The map took up the entire coffee table, which wasn't to surprising. Central was a big city. But what was surprising, was what Ed had been doing. There were bildings circled here and there. Each one holding a meaning, but Al didn't know what. A laboratory here, a prison there. A shelter for the poor. Even a few community parks. "Nii-chan, what are you doing?"

Ed immediately stopped his observations, and gave a slight sigh. He then pointed to three buildings of similar size and shape. "You see these three? They're military labs. Theres supposed to be five around the city. As for the others... It would be easy enough to get resourses from those places." He was pointing to various other spots on the map already labelled. "If I can find this Lad of Dr. Marco's then we'll be that much closer to solving the secrets of the stone."

Before Al could reply however, there was a knock on the door. Ed ignored the sound, and when back to working on the map. Al however, got up. Someone needed to greet this unknown person. And it seemed it would be him. He made his way to the door, and once there, opened it. Hughes was standing there, looking official except for a pleasent smile.

"Hello Hughes-san, what are you doing here?" Al asked, as he moved out of the way. Opening the door more for their friend.

"Nothing much, I'm here to help you guys with the map." And with that, he made his way over to Ed. Sitting beside him on the couch. "I know your trying to find where Dr. Marco did his research, I can help you." Hughes was serious about this. The tone held in his voice dictated so.

But all Ed did was stall his work once more. Tensing up, as if he were expecting some sort of chastising. It wouldn't be the first time. "How did you know that? Were you spying on us?"

"No I wasn't, I just put two and two together. You looked at his research, now want to know where he did it." Hughes stated. Inwardly he sighed. He knew Ed was going to act this way. Concidering Ed liked to do everything himself, never asking help from an adult.

While this brief conversation lasted, Al had closed the door. But since his spot had been taked up by Hughes, Al now sat upon one of the chairs. The silence continued.

Untill Ed finally caved in however. "This is everything, any idea's other than the ones I have marked down?" Ed said while pointing out each and every building he had.

"Well, I know Dr. Marco was stationed at Lab number four, but that place has been cleared out." He pointed towards an unsearched area. Where the was a building stating 'abandoned: military property' upon it. Ed circled it right away, then noticed something else. He circled a homeless shelter beside it as well.

"Hmmm... Wait.", Ed pointed to another spot with two circles close together, which he had just noticed. One was a prison, while the other had simply been labelled 'abandoned'. "What about this spot? It's right beside a top security prison."

Hughes was just shaking his head. "Nope, that place was burned out and closed off twenty years ago. It's a hazard, and I don't know why the city just doesn't tear it down. I don't even know whether or not the military own that property anymore."

Deralict. Abandoned. It seemed an unusual way to keep military property. "Maybe, but what kind of prison is it anyway?"

"Convicts who are sentenced for execution go there, why?" Hughes knew Ed was onto something. But as to what it was, he didn't know.

"It was in that building, I know it. with expendable lives just across the street, why wouldn't they go there?", Ed stood up, making his way across the room to get his coat. "Al, we're leaving."

Al got up at that moment. Both he and Hughes knew there was no way of stopping Ed at all. That wouldn't stop Hughes from trying though.

"Hey, wait a minute! You'll need backup." It wasn't the best way to stop the duo. But it was something.

"If we don't show up in an hour, then send backup." Once out of hearing distance Ed gave an exasperated sigh. He didn't need to be looked after. He wasn't some stupid, defenseless kid! "Jeez, what a pain. we don't need backup."

"But Nii-chan, he's just worried that we might get hurt." Ed didn't reply. He had simply just kept on walking.

As for Hughes, it seemed he had already ran into trouble for the night. The stove within the Elric brother's dorm was on fire. And it seemed he was the only one there to put it out, whether he was experienced at it or not.

Inu Group

The group had once more began to move. By their estimations, it had been merely a half a days travelling from Kaede's villiage. And that was at a slow pace. However, it appeared that it would be far longer then that. Concidering earlier events.

Flashback

At first, the group had been fine. Taking their sweet time walking. They weren't in the slightest rush at all. However, Miroku seemed to be more laid back then usual. Keeping the group at a snails pace. Of course, it annoyed Inuyasha. Who had attempted to regain speed every now and then. But at each time, Miroku would react to something, thus slowing them down again. Sango eventually had to call for a break.

It took a whole ten minutes, before they came their a conclusion. And it wasn't the best. It appeared as if Miroku was suffering from severe cramps, brought on by unknown reasons. But once the questioning began, the reasons were unknown for not much longer. Apparently, Inuyasha had forced the monk to eat charred food. This didn't impress either of the ladys. And Kagome, with her control over the hanyou, only had to utter a single word. The crash resounded throughout the forest.

End Flashback

Of course, once the monk was given something to treat his condition, they had resumed. Inuyasha and Kagome walking together, in the front. While Sango was walking beside a saber-toothed Kirara. The Monk was currently taking it easy, riding upon the cat's back.

They had made good time. The villiage was in sight, so only a few more hours of travel was to be expected. And the group had settled into a companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Of course, until Inuyasha stopped. Taking in the scent of the air one last time, before uttering a low growl.

"Inuyasha, what's wrong?" Kagome asked, halfway through unshouldering her bow. As well, Sango and Miroku both held weapons at the ready.

"I smell wolves." Was all he said.

As if this were an opportune moment, a familiar dust devil appeared. Charging at the group at outrageos speeds. So much so, that the next events were lost upon those with defined senses. At one moment, Inuyasha was standing beside Kagome. While the next, Kouga was there. Holding Kagome bridal style, while Inuyasha had been trampled on. And was now being used as a rug. "Hello Kagome, what's up?"

One moment, she had simply standing. The next, she was being carried by a demon, for her senses allowed her that much. But this demonic aura held no malice. Only a few demons she knew felt like that, and moreso, only one was brash enough to lift her. "Hi Kouga. Just hunting shards. By chance, could-"

"Get the hell off of me!" Though he was used to being forced to the ground, the least humiliating way, to him, was Kagome's method. It hurt, but he had no defence against that. This on the other hand, was simply disgraceful. Kouga was standing over him as if he were a prey!

"Sorry Dog Shit, I just came by to see my woman." His tone was all but sorry. Containing a variaty of cruel emotions. A few of which were humor, and superiority. However, he didn't have anymore time to spend on the Mutt. So he turned his attention back to Kagome, without moving off Inuyasha. "Don't worry, soon you'll never have to see this ugly Mutt ever again. I promise."

"Kouga, would you please get off Inuyasha, and set me down? As well, I'm-" Once again, she was cut off. This entire situation was really starting to annoy her.

"She's not your woman, god damnit. Now get off of me!" Inuyasha cracked his knuckles. Once he let go of Kagome... Then, there would be one less wolf in the world.

If Kagome said so, then he would dutifully obay. However, he couldn't resist the temptation of driving his heel into the Hanyou's back. Once off the hanyou however, he set Kagome down. "You know damn well that she's my woman Dog Shit. I'd take her away right now, but my Pack is having a struggle for territory."

Inuyasha removed himself from the earth immediately, glaring daggers at the wolf. Who did he think he was? Talking about his Kagome like she was a thing. As well as adding injury to insult, with that last move of his. "Kagome is inot/i your woman! How many times do we have to say that Wolf Shit!" Inuyasha then went into his battle stance. Claws at the ready with one hand. While the other hand was wrapped around the grip of Tetsusaiga.

"Looks like we're going to fight for her eh? hope I don't crush you to badly Dog Shit." He to went into a battle pose. Even without his shards, he was still a match for a hanyou. In fact, he felt that he'd rather enjoy this little session. Having finally gained the chance he needed to beat around Inuyasha.

Kagome had not watched the beginning. Instead, she had immediately went to Miroku. He was the one held her backpack. As well, sinse she packed the thing, she knew exactly where to look for whatever she was searching for. However, once she found it, she heard the ever growing conflict break out into challanges. She was shocked that they were about to fight for her, possibly to the death. However, she did expect a conflict like this. But she had predicted it to be after the jewel was complete.She still needed to stop this now though. With her current weapon of choice, she walked into the battle ground.

"Inuyasha, I'm sorry, but sit." Without watching Inuyasha's immediate reaction to the effect, she turned to Kouga. Holding out what appeared to be a necklace of bead work. It looked far to similar to Inuyasha's. "Kouga, I'm not your woman. If you keep calling me that, I'll be forced to put a Rosary on you. So, what will it be?".

Kouga suddenly slumped at the proclimation, as if the wind was knocked out of him. That was a low blow by his standards. And he could not conceal the large amount of dispair upon his face. "Bu... But Kagome, I thought you loved me. Not Dog Shit over there. I'de do anything for you..." He then got up, his breath ragged, as if he were fighting a loosing battle with overwhelming sadness. "I'll never give up on you!"

He simply dissapeared, only to reappear by Kagome. Giving himself just enough time to pick her up once again, before fading away once more. The was no better way to discribe it. Such speed only Sesshoumaru could rival. Indeed, he was even faster now, then when he had the shards!

Kagome was quite shocked by what he did, to say the least. She sighed. It hadn't been her wish to do this, but it was her only choice. Kouga would not listen to reason. She concentrated on the spare rosary within her hands. Willed her power into it. And, with a heart-wretching thought, willed it around Kouha's neck. Never had she thought, that she'd have to constrain a friend's freedom in such a way.

The Miko opened her eyes just as the rosary formed around the rampant youkai's neck. Kouga stopped when he felt something form around his neck, leaving a shallow trench. He looked down and saw the same blasted necklace around his neck, as was around Inuyasha's neck. Except that the beads of this one were brown, and divided with cylindrical wooden beads. He let go of Kagome and just looked at her. Why did she do this? They were going to live happily forever. He was going to protect her, moreso then the hanyou ever could. Then it hit him. She truly didn't love him, she loved that Dog Bastard. Sadness once again formed his features. But this time, there was a mix of understanding as well. "I... I'm sorry Kagome, I didn't realize how much you felt for Dog Sh-... I mean Inuyasha. I thought it was a slight... Never mind, I'll take you back. But could you do two things for me?"

Kouga's understanding of her feelings, without a doubt, blindsided her. But not the below the belt, kind of blindside. More or less the realisation kind. She had been mostly sure of her own feelings. But to hear someone else vying for her affection just say it out loud... "Sure Kouga."

Kouga let out the breath he didn't even know was locked away within his chest. "After my actions today, I'll understand if you didn't wish to be... But could we still be friends? It may not sate my feelings for you... But it's better then nothing, isn't it? As for the second condition... Would you visit once in a while? You're still a member of the pack, no matter your choice to drop in on us or not."

Kagome just smiled. Nothing outlandish, nor things she was unable to do. "I would be greatly honored to be your friend and pack member Kouga."

Kouga was thrilled. For the first time since he challenged Inuyasha that day, he smiled. As well, it was a smile without his cocky smugness. Just plain happiness, as if she chose to marry him. "Ok, I'll take you back now." He once again picked her up bridal style, and ran once more. This time towards Kagome's group.

When Kagome and Kouga returned, camp had been set up. Miroku and Sango were sitting by a well cared for fire, looking expactantly at the two. As if they knew what would happen all along. Shippou was with them as well. But for Inuyasha, he had a different fate. Inuyasha was pinned by Shippou's statue. And for added power, it appeared as if Miroku had added a sutra of his own.

It didn't stop the hanyou from speaking however, or should I say, yelling. "Where the hell did you take Kagome! What did you do to her!" He continued on, of course. Stringing swears and insults together in a way never to be recreated again.

Kouga calmly let Kagome down, then waited for the verbal assault to end. In a way, he understood the way Inuyasha was feeling. He felt the need to swear his head off every single time he had left Kagome in the care of the hanyou. Once the tirade ended though, Kouga spoke. "Relax Inuyasha, we just had a talk in the woods. Besides, I need a word with you." He waited for Inuyasha to retailiate. When there was none, he turned to the Miroku. "Monk, could you release him?"

Needless to say, Inuyasha was the third person to be blindsided today. No cocky remarks, no names, just a simple request. As well, the wolf even asked Mirok to release him. If that wasn't a complete change of the wolf's earlier behavior, Inuyasha didn't know what could be. Once Miroku removed his own sutra, and purified the fox magic with another, Inuyasha stood up. He could finally view his rival, and smirked when he saw what caused Kouga's change. He even sympathised for the demon.

They both left in silence. Kouga leading, and Inuyasha following. It took nerve for the wolf to show him, his rival, his unarmored back. Or perhaps it was a show of faith and trust. Inuyasha contemplated those thoughts, but desided not to accept one single reason until later. Kouga stopped in front of him, then turned to face one another.

"I'm hear to talk about Kagome's well being." The wolf started, "She's in love with you not me, and I finally understand that. However, I still love her. If you ever hurt her, I iwill/i kill you and take her to a better place. Got it?" Some of Kouga's smugness returned. The pup was inot/i expecting that. It was funny in a way. He held out his hand toward the hanyou.

As if fighting his way out of a trance, Inuyasha slowly took the offered hand in his own. Shaking in a polite way, sealing the deal. However, speach was still eluding him. And he was only able to say a single statement. "Thanks... Kouga."

On the way back to camp they walked in silence. But the silence set, was as if they were old friends.

Chapter 4

Tada! Chapter # 4 done. All you people out there reading this better thank Inverness. I wouldn't have updated as fast without his lovely review!

Even while I'm updating this, I still thank you Inverness. I wouldn't have had the will to continue on without your review.