Disclaimers Notice: Maybe...yes...n-n-no...um...possibly???

Authors Beginning Note: Whew! Finally back from vacation. Tired, but in good humor!Forgive the format, is messing with it right now, so hey.

Shout it outs!

Draechaeli- Glad you like what I wrote!

Animefreak808- Lol. That's cool. Yah, seeing Inuyasha as a female, a miko none the less is quite unbelievable.

Rayame325- Late updates are always just as welcome and partied over as early ones!

Eric3D2B- Thank you so much! I'll have to read one of your stories, they sound great! Granted, it might be a while with summer vacation ending so soon, so don't expect a review from me overnight.

Diamond Mace- I don't think anyone saw it coming. LOL. I'm creative like that soemtimes. Glad you find it so funny!

Chapter 43

Kouga's out burst And Ayame's visitor

"She did what!" Kouga yelled. His long sleek brown tail flicked back and forth in thorough disdain. Keade ignored the outburst as she walked back and forth between her boiling pot and stash of herbs, preparing the much soon to be needed healing potions and salves.

"She went off to fight in the war." Kouga growled. Hakkaku and Ginta backed away slightly. Keade had given Kouga the short, if not slightly (okay, maybe more than slightly) edited version of all that had happened since the time he let Kagome out of his sight. The leader of the wolf pack was not happy with all the tragedies that had befallen 'his woman.'

"You did not here of this war? Sesshoumaru sent out many messages." Kouga barely acknowledged the name. Sure, he had heard of the strong Taiyukai who ruled the western territories, but that had never concerned him or the others of his tribe.

"Well, you see, when we heard Inuyasha and everything, we came here right away..." Hakkaku began. Kouga gave him a silencing glare and Hakkaku shrank a bit.

"Oh, sorry boss."

"No."

"Three weeks is a long time to not be with one's tribe, is it not."

"What business is it of yours?" He asked, not enjoying the conversation, for in fact, he knew the dangers of being so far away from his tribe and the irresponsibility of it, and regretted it to a larger point. His tailed swayed and twitched in a guilty, impatient manner as his back stood up straight and rigid. Keade did not answer.

"Tell me of this war. Why would Sesshoumaru concern himself with it? He is the great Taiyukai of the west, is he not? I did not know him to concern himself with matters that don't pertain to him. And why is Kagome involved in this?"

"Because this war concerns all."

"What do you mean it concerns 'all'? My woman is about to go fight and possibly die over something that doesn't even concern her, and you let her! Who gave her permission to go! If it was that piece of no good..." "Kagome left of her own accord. This war concerns her just as much as everyone else, but do not think that no one did not try to stop her." Keade intervened, stopping Kouga from finishing before really beginning, long list of 'colorful' names for Inuyasha.

"What do you mean, 'it concerns her just as much as everyone else'?"

"Naraku has officially declared a war upon everyone."

"You're joking. That is not Naraku's style of doing things."

"But he has, none the less. He has devised an army that even some of the strongest fear to fight. Even now with as many forces as we have going out to fight, there is still concern of the lack of numbers. Kagome goes to protect everything she loves. She feels it her duty to fight with everyone else. Kagome is fine for the time being. Miroku and Sango are not far from here, and I know they will try everything in their power to protect her from harms way." Kouga was not completely satisfied with the current conditions and circumstances that Kagome was in, but he would have to let that go for the time being.

"Probably a bunch of sissy incarnates of his." He snorted. Keade shook her head.

"No. They are not. Naraku is serious. Do not tell me you do not feel his aura. It is stronger than anything I have felt, and it reeks of his dark intentions.." Kouga's tail stopped for a moment, before flicking again. It was true, he felt Naraku's aura, and it made every sense and instinct in his body want to bolt, but where could there be a place safe enough for him and his tribe? Naraku has not spared his tribe so easily. Many attacks had been made on it before. The great lord Sesshoumaru was involved even. The full impact of what was said and unsaid seemed to fall on him. Silently he cursed himself for being so negligent, after all, as leader wasn't he supposed to be aware of all situations around him so as to better protect his tribe?

"Hakkaku, Ginta, I want you to stay here."

"But boss..."

"You heard me. Be ready to fight when I come back."

"You mean..." Kouga didn't let either finish as his calloused feet pounded into the ground and hair whipped around him in his hasty leave. A whirlwind of a tornado shrouded him completely in his extreme speed. His silky black hair snapped back and forth like a sharp whip. The trees and forest foliage around him was nothing but vague impressions. His heart leapt for a moment in revel as he enjoyed the moment of air beating his face. His moments of delight were short lived as a sudden thought occurred to him, and made him stop. The wind whipped past him and the tornados slowly dissipated, dirt rose from the sudden change of wind and fell to the ground. Sniffing the air he changed direction and headed on a different course. The shards in his legs shimmered lightly.
"Something's coming." Ayame said. Natsuko and Mariko looked up at her and nodded.

"Get up!" Natsuko growled at her sleeping comrades. Mariko called the wolves back to camp from their wonderings by giving a howl in the sky. Streaks appeared in camp as the wolves came back in swift alacrity. A few forms armed with bows leapt into the branches and hid themselves expertly in the thick foliage from above. Some hid behind trees, and others came and stood by their leader protectively, even though she was perfectly capable of protecting herself.

Everyone became alert and ready, as they awaited Ayame's commands. Ayame stood there, tall, and serious. She had grown up a lot in the time she had become leader. She was still bubbly and kind, but she had become strong and responsible. Innocence was lost to time, as it was forced from her by the many hardships that had been brought.

A white tornado came and stopped. The dust the wind had created slowly began to settle and many feral growls could be heard from Ayame and her tribe. Two white wolves at her side snarled and snapped. A figure appeared as the dirt fell to the ground and dust cleared.

"Long time no see." Came the strong tenor voice. Ayame's heart leapt into her throat but the only move she made was to signal with her hand. Her tribe became at ease and went back to what they had been doing, though a few kept to their hiding places, their eyes on the new intruder, but made no move to propose that they were up their for reasons other than enjoying the themselves.

"What brings you here? " Ayame said in a vivacious voice. A small glimmer of hope found its way into her eyes. Natsuko and Mariko exchanged glances.

"I could ask you the same. A long way from the mountains, aren't you?" Kouga asked.

"My tribe has business to take care of."

"Than you have heard of this war?" Ayame looked completely stunned. Some of her tribesmen perked up at the sound, a frown creasing their lips.

"What war?" Ayame's hope was instantly deflated and a new worry seemed to clutch her heart.

"Naraku has declared a great war." Ayame seemed to think this over.

"It would be wise of this tribe to join the fight against him." She shook her head, and looked at her clan. She had already lost so many to the thousands of fights they had fought, and demons flung at them from Naraku. Starting when she had become leader, she was to manage over three hundred wolves, the clan was so huge, a nearly impossible task, one not for the weak. That number was now dwindled to a small amount less than 200. Could they afford to fight in a war?

"We are too few, and I fear the blood shed too great. No. We will not fight."

"What, aren't you going to consult your leader about this?" Kouga asked aghast.

"I am the leader."

"What...you...but?" Ayame's nose wrinkled and her cheeks flushed with indignity and anger.

"If you have come here to insult me, than leave!" She said glaring at him; hands on her hips as she leaned forward somewhat.

"You can't lead a tribe! Did your grandfather loose his mind?" Ayame frowned.

"He died. I competed for the spot, and won. So now I am their leader." Kouga's laughter was lost to him, and then an awkward pause.

"We have much to discuss." He said diplomatically. Ayame seemed to consider and nodded curtly. She signaled for him to follow and lead the way through the forest to a secluded area. Many of the tribe looked out of the corner of their eyes. Edgy about Kouga, for though he was one of their kind, and his tribe an old ally of theirs, treachery was still possible.
"Gaia, Niko, guard the premises and let no one pass." Both sleeping wolves yawned and stretched. Standing they left, and did as she instructed.

Ayame plopped herself on the ground and leaned against a tree. Motioning for him to do like wise, Kouga sat down across from her.

"What is the real reason you came here Ayame?" Kouga scrutinized, suspecting a new plot upon Kagome. Ayame's nose wrinkled in anger, knowing this, but didn't voice it.

"Instinct and curiosity." Kouga raised his eyebrow at her vague answer, but let it slide.

"When do you plan on going back?" Ayame's face blanked. She wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Ayame?"

"We won't."

"What? That's ridiculous. Why?"

"We were run out of our own territory."

"So you just ran!"

"No! Not at first! Many stayed to fight, but all of them died. We had to retreat!" Kouga growled.

"So you ran away."

"Open your ears you nimrod! We had no choice! After Grandfather was killed while fighting, we were left leaderless. We were unorganized! We were falling apart, and with the continued onslaught there was no chance to pick a leader! Our only hope of survival was to run, and regroup. At the first chance we got, the trials were held, and I won. I was made leader of the tribe. I sent scouts out to our old home, seeing if there was any chance we could fight back at the time. They never returned."

"Cowards." Ayame's face burned with fury at the insult.

"What about you and the birds of Paradise? I heard you yourself were contemplating on running."

"We conquered them."

"Is that so. I've been hearing a different story." She yelled right in his face. Kouga's pride was shot right then and there. When he said nothing, Ayame cooled down.

"Did you know, that there are only four tribes left, each holding no more than 360? And out of those four, yours is the only one that has a place that hasn't been completely over run with Naraku's demons." Kouga sat there in stunned silence. This was huge, in a bad way. Once there used to be 23 tribes at least, of their kind, scattered. His shoulders slumped, and the strong warrior looked tired and weary.

"You can't stay here. Food is scarce enough as it is. There won't be enough for all of our tribes. Especially if Naraku wins this war."

"Kouga, neither of our tribes can afford to fight in this war."

"Don't you think I know that?"

"But...?"

"The even bigger question is, can we afford not to fight?" Both sat in silence. Their situations weighing heavily upon them. Thunder began to build and roar in the distance, echoing over the treetops.

"I...I will talk among my tribe. You will have my answer in eight days. If we agree to fight, I will send Gaia. If we refuse, I will send Niko."

"And what if only part of your tribe agrees to fight?" Ayame sighed, wishing the responsibility of being leader were someone else's, someone more sure, confident, wise, stronger. Not her.

"Then, I will bring the ones that agree to fight with me to your camp, and leave the others behind to elect a leader in my absence." Kouga nodded, noticing the girl's troubled eyes, and laid a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at his cocky smile, but the worry in his eyes didn't escape her. "You're a good leader." Was all he said before taking off to his tribe, to his home.

"If only I could be sure of that." She sighed. With feet that brushed the ground in a walk, instead of a flying skip, she began to organize a meeting with her tribe members.
Authors Ending Note:

Forgive me for the late update, I hope the lengthy length on this chapter will make you happy!