Yo man!

Inukochan here once more with a new chapter to show!

I'm still debating on the couple choice, but using suggestions from reviewers I hope to sort out who is best for Kouga in this story!

As of now the candidates are:

Kouga/Kagome

Kouga/Kagura

Kouga/Ayame

If you have suggestions for a different pairing or have a comment on the pairing you wish to see, I'm all ears! n.n

Now on with the story!

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The Love Doctor

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And so the tale continues, the tale so far, Our dear prince has been kicked out of his tribe, he's debating who he should take as a mate, he is stuck traveling with the mutt, and a new annoyance has entered the group. Oh goody…

"Oi, oi, oi, wolf! Oi!" Kouga thought he was going to go insane, the woman who seemed to be posing as a man would not shut up!

"God damn it! What is it now?" she always had a question, and never seemed to stop talking since they left to take her to her brother's village, where ever the hell that is.

"Is that tail real?" Kouga's eye twitched in annoyance as the curious human continued to ask him and Inuyasha about their physical traits and if they were 'really real'. "And what about those ears Inu-kun?" The wolf prince smirked as the human woman turned her attention to the mutt and attempted to pet his ears.

Kagome laughed sheepishly, "Ne, Kyou-kun, maybe you should leave them alone for now. Inuyasha doesn't like people touching his ears."

Kyou blinked and grinned at the miko, "Anything for you Higurashi-san!" he practically skipped to Kagome and sat next to her. Kyou could never get enough of the way Inuyasha got jealous and the way Kagome seemed to squirm under the pressure. Oh if only she new I wasn't a guy! Kyou laughed internally, then she'd really squirm! I am so evil!

"Kagome, when will the ramen be done? I'm hungry." Shippou wined as his stomach growled at him.

The miko smiled softly at the kitsune, "Just a few more minutes, Shippou, it almost ready." The kit nodded at his foster mother and patiently waited for his food.

"So, Kyou, about how much farther to your brother's village?" Miroku looked to the healer on the opposite side of camp.

"Hm, I'd say maybe ten days worth for humans. But with demon companions, given that they're willing to help get us there faster, I'd guess around four to six days, perhaps even less depending on their endurance and speed."

"I see, and what would you say is this village like? Are there any…lovely maidens?" The houshi got a slight perverse look in his eye.

"You mean women? Of course, and may I say, many of them are quite beautiful! My brother's wife, especially. She is probably the most attractive woman in the village." Kyou seemed to boast as he went on about his sister-in-law's beauty and how the men of the village all fawned over her.

Kouga mentally sighed, he and the group had gotten used to the healer going off into mindless chatter over stupid things like this, but that didn't make it any less annoying. He closed off everything and tried to contemplate on the important matter at hand. The elder's of the tribe had only given him a month to find a mate; it had already been a little more than week. What was he going to do?

I've been here a while, maybe I can ask Kagome if she knows anyone? No, that won't do! The second I say that I was dismissed from the tribe to find a mate she'll get the wrong idea, but what other options do I have? Kouga kept a straight face as the miko passed him a bowl of the food she called 'ramen'.

They finished their meal whilst talking about past events and discussing different ways to get to where they were going. Hoping to cut down the time it would take to get to the village. All the while, Kouga didn't participate much; he was to busy trying to think on what he was going to do and where he could go.

It was getting late and most of Kagome's 'pack' seemed to be asleep. Kagome had suggested that Inuyasha and Kouga take turns watching, seeing as both seemed to be uneasy during the night, due to demons. If every one slept who would keep watch? So, Inuyasha was sleeping along with the human girl, monk, slayer, and fox kit. Kouga was keeping watch over the area.

"Kouga, is something wrong?" Kouga was startled by Kagome's voice; he had thought she was sleeping.

"Not really, why?" the wolf demon tried to keep his voice down as to not wake up any unwanted listeners, a.k.a., mutt face.

Kagome looked at Kouga, concern in her eyes, "You just seem different. Not in a bad way or anything. Just, are you sure nothing's wrong?"

The wolf sighed, she'd probably find out sooner or later anyway, right? May as well tell her, "Kagome, I haven't told you why I've been dismissed, have I?" he looked down a bit slightly shame faced, but he still caught the miko's head shaking with a no. "The elder's wish for me to bring back a mate to help with the tribe." He braced himself, preparing for a scream or a slap to the face, but neither came.

Kagome was speechless, was that why he wanted to stay with us? So I would go with him or something? But, he hasn't really tried to get me to go; he hasn't even asked me to 'mate' with him. Kagome blushed at the thought and cleared her throat thinking on what she should say, "So, um, you can't go back until you have a mate?" Her blush continued to hover on her pale cheeks as she spoke on the embarrassing subject.

Kouga nodded, "I'm not here to force you to be my mate Kagome. However, I really don't know what to do." He sighed, finding the ground interesting to look at now. How could look at Kagome after this conversation?

"What about the females of your tribe?" Kagome was curious, why couldn't he be with one of them?

"Hn…" Kouga thought over an answer, he wasn't good at talking about matters such as this. "The females…the she-wolves really aren't what I see as mate material."

"What do you mean?"

"They're…not really." He paused trying to find the right words, "Many of the women would only agree for the power."

Kagome's mouth formed into a small 'oh' shape, so, Kouga's worried they only want to be with him because of his high status… "I'm sure, there must be someone that would like you even if you weren't the leader. You're a really nice friend Kouga, there are probably lots of wolf girls that don't care about the power." Kagome tried to give the wolf an encouraging friendly smile.

Not sure how to respond, Kouga just gave a smirk back at her and let her know that it was late and she really should get some sleep. She agreed and quickly fell into Kagome-dream land. Heh, if only Kagome knew what those she-wolves are like. Kagome's words were comforting, but she didn't know the females as Kouga did. Wolf demon females were probably some of the more power hungry demons. Sure some weren't as bad as other's, but the one's he favored were like family.

The only one person Kouga could ever really see himself mating with was Kagome, she may only be a friend now, but she was a very likable person, high-spirited, loyal, so, different from other women of this era. Falling for the miko wouldn't be hard, not in the least, even someone as wicked as Naraku might be softened by such a pure hearted miko…or maybe not, that might be pushing it a bit. Kouga heaved a sigh at his thoughts; he chose to take a break from the constant thinking and focus on keeping watch like he was supposed to be.

The night passed without incident and morning was upon the group. The sun rose high as they walked through the dense forest, stopping for a quick lunch.

As the group stopped Kouga opted to get his own food, the stuff called 'ramen' was good, but he needed meat and eating nothing but noodles wasn't really his manner, so he went hunting, ignoring the mutt's shouts telling him that 'if he wasn't back when they left then he could rot'…or something or other, Kouga hadn't really been listening. The wolf was still dazed a bit, thinking on the previous nights thoughts and conversation. He didn't even notice the boyish-girl stalking him or the evil smirk that played across their lips.

"Oi, Ookami!" Kouga nearly jumped out of his fur at the voice. He was so concentrated on his thoughts he didn't notice he was being followed.

The wolf looked to the woman with irritation, "What is it woman?" he watched as the girl visibly twitched at his question. Dislike being called what you are? He smirked at his thought, finding it slightly humorous.

"I couldn't help but over hear your discussion." The healer smirked at the wolf and stalked up closer to him, "You really should be more careful when you wish to keep a conversation privet."

Kouga glared at the girl, how dare she mock him. "You were eavesdropping?"

"Eavesdropping is a nasty way to put it, I think of it as, secretly gathering information." Kyou smiled innocently before speaking again, "If you'd like, I can help you."

"Help me? With what?" First this woman listened in on his conversation, then she had the gull to mock him, and now she was offering to help? What the fuck was she thinking?

"I can help you make Kagome yours. You want her for a mate, yes?"

"Why would you do that? You seem to like her quite a bit, so why help another gain her affection?" Kouga wasn't certain he could trust this woman, she didn't seem as though she was deceiving him, but he couldn't be sure.

"Tch, I only came onto her because it's fun!" Kyou beamed like a toddler who had just played a roguish trick on someone. "She's different from the village girls. When I advanced on them, before they knew I was woman, they fawned over me. Apparently, I make for an attractive man." Kyou smirked and flicked her hair back behind one shoulder before continuing, "I'm curious to see how Kagome will react when she finds out as well. I like toying with Higurashi, just as you like toying with Inu-kun."

"Heh, so, you'll help me get a mate?"

"But of course. I am a woman, thus I should know the way to a woman's heart. Even if I act and look that of a man, I am still a woman, that cannot be changed."

"What's in it for you?"

"The closer you get to Kagome the more flustered Inu-kun will be. He isn't quite fond of you, is he? Not only that, but it's clear to me how he feels about dear Higurashi, if he isn't going to make a move then you may as well. And from my understanding Kagome has feelings for Inu-kun, if you don't get her now, you may never have another chance." The healer gave the wolf a serious look as she spoke.

"So, you help me with Kagome and in return you gain amusement from the mutt's jealousy?"

"That sums it up I suppose. Even if you don't truly want Kagome to be your mate, I'll help you in anyway I can. If I'm entertained and my patrons are happy then I'll help you snatch the heart of any maiden you desire."

"How can you be so confident? Kagome likes that Inu-trash and I haven't felt any type of affection of that one would to give a mate in years, I'm not even certain I ever have."

"There are ways. You may not love Kagome now, but I have no doubt that you could love her. And I have no doubt that she could love you. Just call me the love doctor. I'll give you a mate and make your dreams come true." Kyou smirked and had an evilly mischievous glint in her eye as the stupefied ookami could only wonder what the 'Love doctor' had planned.

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Muahahahahahahaha! Poor Kouga-kun! v.v

What does the mischievous Kyou have planned for the wolf prince?

What does the future hold?

And where in the world could this travel of the confused and mateless be heading now!

Find out more in Chapter 7: Who's Mate…

Japanese Dictionary:

Ookami- Wolf

Inu- Dog

Houshi- Monk/Priest

Please Note, I still haven't picked a pairing…Y.Y;;

Ja ne! n.n