Disclaimer: See chapter one.

A/N: So, I lied about the when this chapter would be up, but I didn't mean to do so. Sorry about that. Life kind of got away from me. I'd like to make up for it by posting this and the last chapter, but unfortunately the last chapter is being a bit of a pain. I will explain why once it is complete so that I don't give anything away.

Just a couple of quick nods…feel free to skip down to the good stuff though:

M'eyari: Yeah, I know. I agonized over how quickly that little romance came about. I like things to move a little slower, as evidenced by CaFS, but I too kept reminding myself that Ayame was crazy about the guy. So it just took Kouga getting his stuff together.

Nikki: Thank you, and I'm glad you like my work. Honestly, I never thought writing would be something that I would get into, but I find that I am enjoying it more and more.

Dark-Wolf: Thank you.

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Chapter 4: Ask and ye shall receive

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Kouga had no idea how they were going to get out of this one. They couldn't keep running like this forever and if they stopped they were as good as dead. Kouga didn't have long to dwell on their current predicament though. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a wolf come charging in from the side, but its target wasn't him.

"Ayame watch out!" he warned as he changed direction to intercept the wolf as he came flying towards her. Ayame ducked as both Kouga and the wolf flew over head, but they had just gone from bad to worse.

"Kouga," called Ayame as she came to stand by him, "are you okay?"

"Yeah," he replied as he sized up their situation. One wolf was down, but they were now facing a dozen more and half a dozen wolf-demons to boot. "Ayame," he said softly as he stood from his crouch, "I want you to run as soon as I have them distracted."

"No," she stated and shook her head, "I will not leave you here."

"Ayame listen," he said a little harsher, "You need to make it back to the Elder and tell him what is going on. Then tell Hakaku and Ginta to take word to my men that they need to march north and are to follow your orders." Ayame continued to shake her head through out his speech with a look of disbelief on her face. "Ayame ... please, do this for me."

"Promise me you will be okay," she whispered softly. Kouga didn't answer, he couldn't promise her that. Instead he smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"When I tell you to…run," he said as he drew away.

"Ah how sweet," taunted one of the wolf-demons, "Look boys, they're having a final moment. I guess they know they're dead huh?" The others laughed at his taunts, and at his signal they started to move in on Kouga and Ayame.

Kouga backed up pushing Ayame behind him. He wanted to get as much distance between them as his attackers as possible before he told her to go. Ayame continued to squeeze his hand and he knew that he would not be able to look at her when she left. He wanted his last memory of her to be her smiling face, not the one she must be wearing now.

"Go!" he shouted and released her hand. He could tell she hesitated for a moment, but only a moment, as her footfalls started to fade from his hearing.

"Don't let her get away," called out the same wolf-demon from before. All at once wolves and demons tried to get around Kouga, but he couldn't let that happen. The wolves were the easiest to knock out, but also faster than the demons so he had to time his attacks just right to make sure none got by him.

"You three, take him out," he heard commanded through the howls of pain he was causing. The three demons that were directed to stop him rushed him all at once and under normal circumstances he would have been able to dodge them, but as he twisted to get away his wounded leg gave out causing him to stumble and land face first on the ground.

He looked up just in time to see a couple of wolves and demons start running by him to chase down Ayame. NO! He had to get up, however his attack was stifled by the three demons that were now pinning him to the ground.

"Now you are going to die," taunted the same wolf from before as he reached down to force Kouga's head up as the demons holding him forced him to his knees. A knife glinted in his other hand, and for the first time in his life Kouga actually thought he was going to die. I love you Ayame he thought as he felt the knife pressed against his throat.

"You really are a wimpy wolf!" he suddenly heard shouted from above. The demon about to end his life turned to see who had just arrived only to be thrown aside a moment later by a violent blast of energy. However, he wasn't the only one. The guards holding Kouga had let go in an attempted to run and were now being hurled behind him. Kouga, on the other hand, hit the ground and dug in once he recognized the attack.

"Damn it dog breath!" he shouted once the energy had dissipated, "If you wanted me dead you could have just let them finish the job."

"Quit your whining wolfy," replied Inu Yasha as he stood above Kouga offering him a hand up. Mildly surprised at the gesture it took a moment for it to register for what it was. However, take it he did and finally looked around at what was left of his attackers…not much. "Keh, what is that horrible smell?" ask Inu Yasha as he sniffed his hand, "Maybe that's why these guys were trying to kill you." Inu Yasha made a couple of exaggerated hand waves in front of his nose.

"It's not me you stupid dog, Ayame and I-," he started to explain what had happen when he suddenly remembered that Ayame could still be in danger. He started to run after her only to be stopped by another of the dog clan standing in his way.

"She is not in danger," said Sesshoumaru stoically as ever, "I took care of them." With his worry evaporating he finally took in what exactly had happened.

"What are you two doing here?" he asked rather bluntly, and sounding a little less than grateful for them saving his life. "And since when do you two travel together willingly?"

"Keh," replied Inu Yasha, "We just happen to be hunting the same prey."

"Who would that be?" asked Kouga who was more than curious as to who could possibly be a threat enough to bring those two together again.

"Akago," responded Seshoumaru as he started to walk away.

"Akago? You mean the little twerp that controls people's…oh no." It suddenly dawned on Kouga what was going on.

"What?" questioned Inu Yasha. Kouga notice that Sesshoumaru had stopped walking away and was waiting for a response as well.

"The reason I'm here is that the Eastern and Western tribes are causing problems for Ayame's tribe. But, neither leader would ever think to follow the path they are on now," he explained.

"Your clan's arguments do not concern me," remarked Sesshoumaru as he started walking away again.

"I didn't see it before, but on the way up here I smelled what I thought was Naraku's scent and passed it off as a bad memory," he continued, "Then one of their men mentioned a kid who had showed up in the last week or so and had some sort of power over Ryoku. Now it all makes sense. It's Akago that is controlling the other leaders and causing these problems." Sesshoumaru looked at Inu Yasha and it was almost like a silent agreement was passed between them.

"Where is this Ryoku?" asked Inu Yasha.

"South of here, but I don't understand. Why didn't the brat die when Naraku did?" asked Kouga.

"Not sure," replied Inu Yasha, "It must have had something to do with the way he made him. But, it is not only Akago that survived, we think Kana is with him. After Naraku was defeated we went back to his hideout to discover that Akago's scent was still very fresh. We must have just missed them." Inu Yasha cracked his knuckles, "But it is only a matter of time before we get rid of them too."

"Now be more specific, how do I find them?" asked Sesshoumaru as he walked back towards them. Honestly, what did Julia ever see in that guy?

"No," replied Kouga, "We need to go back to the Elder and tell him what is going on. I also need to stop Ayame from sending out Hakaku and Ginta to rally my men. It sounds like this can be put to an end without a full scale war and I want to keep it that way."

"Why don't you just go back and let me handle this?" spat out Inu Yasha. Kouga might have laughed at the way the brothers seem to exclude the other in their statements, but there were more pressing concerns.

"Because I would never catch up to her in time…not with my leg wounded," he explained. It was a stab to his pride to admit that, but he had to think about the good of the rest of the tribes right now. Sesshoumaru eyed him for a moment and it looked like his honestly had driven Inu Yasha to silence.

"Let's go then," stated Sesshoumaru flatly as he unceremoniously grabbed Inu Yasha and Kouga by the arm. "We need to do this quickly. I don't think I can stand that smell for much longer." They were surrounded by a blue glow and a second later were shooting over the forest towards the Elder's den with one short stop to swoop Ayame up on the way.

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Ayame sat by her grandfather's side as the meeting took place. She was still in shock over the sudden appearance of the two dog demons, even more so at the idea of Inu Yasha and Kouga getting along…or at least more than they did when she last saw them. As for the other…she wasn't sure what to think. He was extremely powerful, which was evident by his ability to morph as he did when they picked her up the day before. But, he was so hard to read. The other odd thing was that her grandfather seemed to know who he was and made an effort to leave his den so that the meeting would not be so cramped.

"It has been a while Lord Sesshoumaru," stated her grandfather. "The last time I saw you, you were still a child at your father's side."

"Indeed Elder, it has been a very long time," replied Sesshoumaru with a degree of respect. Sesshoumaru … Sesshoumaru Ayame said the name to herself, and it finally dawned on her. He is the demon lord of the west. She now understood why it was her grandfather had made the effort to greet him properly.

"What brings you this way?" asked her grandfather, which brought her attention back to the conversation.

"I believe a demon I am hunting fled this direction," explained Sesshoumaru.

"It's the demon they are hunting that I believe is the source of the problems facing your tribe Elder," added Kouga.

"He has a knack for getting people to do what he wants," continued Inu Yasha, "That's why I'm here to put an end to him."

"I see," replied the Elder, "that would indeed explain a few things."

"I'm going to go with Sesshoumaru and Inu Yasha to find the source of your troubles and wipe him out," stated Kouga with a very final tone.

"I will go with you," added Ayame with mild annoyance at not being included in the list of those going.

"No," contradicted Kouga, "you would be safer if you waited here."

"But I belong on this mission," she shot back. The dog demons and her grandfather only looked on as the pair continued with their argument. "This problem concerns my tribe and as the next in line for leader I should be there to see it to its completion."

"But Akago is not your concern," retorted Kouga. "The little brat is a left over problem from Naraku,"

"But the moment he set his sights on wreaking havoc in this territory he became my concern," counter Ayame. She could see that Kouga was trying to come up with another reason for her not to go, but it seemed that he was having trouble doing so.

"This is wasting my time," commented Sesshoumaru drawing Ayame's attention to him. "Elder," he said as he stood. He slightly inclined his head to her grandfather and then walked towards the cave's entrance.

"Sesshoumaru is right." Ayame turned her head to her grandfather. "Kouga, Ayame will go with you." Ayame could see Kouga start to protest, but her grandfather was not finished yet. "She will indeed be the next leader and as such she has a responsibility to make sure that her tribe is safe. I understand your feelings in this matter, but they must be set aside for the time being." Kouga nodded slowly to her grandfather and then looked over at Ayame. It made her happy that he cared so much for her, but she didn't want him to molly-coddle her for the rest of their lives. She would prove her strength to him.

"Now go and bring this to a swift resolution," ordered the old wolf as he stood slowly to return to his den. A few wolf demons came to his side to help him on his way.

"Keh." Inu Yasha stood. "It's about time we were out of here." He stretched and started walking towards the cave's entrance. Kouga and Ayame stood and followed close behind, but Ayame noticed that Kouga didn't look at her as they did so. He was sulking over not getting his way, but he was just going to have to deal with it.

"Kouga, Kouga," called a pair of voices from behind them. Turning she saw it was Hakaku and Ginta who were running up to them.

"Kouga, we know you are gonna get rid of that little demon brat just like you did Naraku," stated Hakaku very proudly.

"Yeah, you'll have no trouble with this squirt after the way you handled Naraku," added Ginta. Ayame turned to smile at Kouga, but instead of smiling proudly at his men he looked like he was almost grimacing and trying to shush them.

"What was that Kouga?" asked Inu Yasha.

"Heh, yeah men, you're damn right I'll take care of this," replied Kouga as he ignored Inu Yasha's question and rubbed the back of his head. "Let's get going you two." He then turned and ran from the cave.

"Oh no you don't you damn wolf!" shouted Inu Yasha as he darted out after him. "Taking all the credit again are you? You're gonna get it this time." Ayame watch, stunned, for a moment and then realized that she was supposed to be running after them.

As she exited the cave, however, Sesshoumaru stood facing the forest with his back to her. All she could see of Kouga and Inu Yasha was a cloud of dust growing further and further away. Ayame wondered briefly is she should say something to Sesshoumaru to apologize for her, what must have looked like childish, behavior earlier. However, as she approached him he turned his head slightly to acknowledge her, inclined his head in the direction the other two had gone and began walking away.

Ayame followed, but was still confused as to what it all meant. The man was an absolute enigma when it came to understanding what he was thinking. For now she decided to think of it as a sign that he was not upset that she was coming and sped off to catch up with the others.

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Akago looked out over the forest that covered the valley below his hideout. He and Kana felt Naraku die as the half-demon's attack sliced him to pieces. However, unlike Kagura, Naraku had never had as much power over them. So, when he died the pair had been left to their own fates. Akago had seized the opportunity to turn Kana into his faithful servant. An act that wasn't hard to accomplish as Kana had never had any motives or direction of her own.

Before Naraku's death a plan to plant dissension amongst the wolf tribes had been put into effect. Naraku had hoped to draw out the wolf prince who processed the shards and make him suffer for opposing him. However, when Sesshoumaru joined forces with his half-brother the plan was abandoned. Left to their own devices the wolf leaders who were causing the conflict were starting to wonder what they were doing and would have soon made peace.

However, Akago had decided that it would be more fun to have the conflict continue. Akago once more took control of the Eastern and Western wolf tribe leaders' wills and bent them to his own plans. He had tried to get to the old wolf leader of the North, but he was too well guarded, and much older and wiser than the younger and cockier leaders of the other tribes. But, it did not matter. As long as he had some of their number under his control, he could play with them to his heart's content and eventually cause them to destroy themselves.

While doing so served no direct purpose for Akago, the simple act of causing turmoil and causing friends to turn to enemies amused him. Especially if it meant that someone would suffer. Plus, what kind of a son would he be if he didn't continue the family tradition of deception and subterfuge?

However, with the appearance of Inu Yasha and Sesshoumaru his plans would have to change a bit. He'd hoped that he and Kana had been able to escape the old hide out undetected, but those blasted dogs must have had better senses than he gave them credit for. After all, the demon lord would have no reason to interfere in the affairs of the wolf tribes unless he suspected that his prey was in the area. Akago sneered at the idea of being hunted, but he had to admit, even if it was begrudgingly, that he was no match for the dogs in his current state. Given time that would change, but he needed to be sure to have that time.

He and Kana would have to leave this land for a while, but before they left Akago needed to make sure he left a surprise for his audience. He sent quick instructions to his puppets and then turned to Kana.

"I think it's time you and I left." Kana only nodded and stood from her kneeling position scooping him up in the process. He cursed Naraku's sense of humor for bringing him into this world in an infant's body. He still grew faster than a normal baby, but it would still be many years before his body would catch up with his mind. "I think we'll head west Kana, we may need to abandon our homeland for a time."

Wrapped in his spherical shield the pair floated towards the setting sun. Akago thought of the turmoil that his little plan had caused and smiled. His control over the two wolf leaders would weaken as he drew farther away from them, but in the end Akago had a feeling it really wouldn't matter. After all, once the darkness in a person's heart has been exposed that person may choose to embrace it rather than run from it. Yes, people can be so predictable.

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Kouga was not happy about Ayame coming with them. He knew she was a capable fighter, but the thought of anything happening to her hurt enough to make his heart stop beating. If they were just dealing with a pair of rogue demons he might not have worried so much, but with Akago involved the situation was more dangerous. He knew that she wanted to prove herself to her grandfather, to him, and probably to the entire tribe, but all Kouga wanted to do was keep her safe.

He and Inu Yasha had run for quite a while before Ayame and Sesshoumaru found them. Somehow they avoided getting into an argument over who had really killed Naraku once the others had caught up. It was something that still surprised Kouga. He was certain that Inu Yasha would want the record set straight, but once Ayame was in ear shot it was like he didn't care anymore. I'm never going to understand the guy. A moment later Inu Yasha continued on saying he would see what was ahead of them. Ayame had walked with Kouga and Sesshoumaru for a while before mumbling something and running ahead. Kouga figured that she was probably not happy with him for the way he acted in front of her grandfather earlier.

"This is something that she needs to do," said a stoic voice from behind him. Turning, Kouga found Sesshoumaru walking at an easy pace behind him. For being in such a hurry earlier the guy was sure taking his sweet time now.

"She needs to be somewhere safe," replied Kouga as he returned his gaze to the road ahead of them. "What good will it do her tribe if she gets herself killed?"

"What good will it do her tribe to have an inexperienced leader who is afraid to fight her own battles?" Kouga stopped and turned to face the demon lord. Sesshoumaru, however, continued looking straight ahead. "The people that follow her will rely on her strength to guide them, but how can she possibly hope to do that without knowing what that strength is herself?"

Kouga didn't get a chance to respond as the serenity of the area was broken by Ayame skidding to a halt in front of the pair.

"You two better hurry," she breathed out heavily, "I think Inu Yasha may be in over his head."

Kouga watch Sesshoumaru sigh and then take off in the direction Ayame had just come from. Kouga motioned to Ayame to go ahead and then followed close behind. What had dog breath gotten into this time?

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A/N: I debated long and hard about bringing the brothers into the story and in the end it just seemed to work for the way I wanted the story to go. Plus, I find the interaction between Kouga and Inu Yasha amusing, and, well, I needed a Sesshoumaru fix.

One more chapter left.

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