Welcome to chapter nine of The Travels of The Confused and Mateless! n.n

Round one is just getting started in this game of love, lust, and jealousy. What awaits in the second quarter? Will a fight spew at half time?

Read to find out.

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Interception

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Shippou awoke to the smell of the food that Kagome had prepared. It was wonderful! Kagome had made something other than Ramen; she called it 'Ah-meh-ree-can omelets'. Shippou wasn't sure what it was, but it tasted good. He looked to his surrogate mother, she'd been acting strangely and he was worried.

The fox kit looked to the monk on his right and questioned him, "Miroku, what do you think is wrong with Kagome? She's acting weird."

The monk looked to the young miko in question and sighed, Kagome was eating, a noticeable blush staining her fine cheeks, as she seemed to shake her head a few times. "I am not sure, however, I'm certain it has something to do with last night."

Inuyasha sniffed the air and growled deeply, he still hated that stench, the wolf's. Though he was forced to get used to it, he would always hate it. He looked to the brush as the wolf and healer stepped out into the clearing, "Heh, where the hell have you two been?" He glared at them slightly; he hated the wolf as much as ever and was finding the woman highly annoying as of late.

The woman healer smirked as she and Kouga now had everyone's full attention, thanks to Inuyasha, and replied, "Wouldn't you like to know?" she grinned playfully as she noticed the monk giving a sly smirk and the obvious growl of irritation from the wolf beside her. This would be fun…She looked to Kagome and cooed, "Kagome-chan, you've made breakfast! It smells delightful." She smiled warmly and trotted over to the miko.

Inuyasha restrained a snarl, he really didn't like that girl, something just seemed wrong. Of course his nose told him that her implications about the wolf and her had been a lie, told for her amusement at the wolf's actions no doubt. He let his growl spill out fully at the woman's next action.

Kyou was sitting next to Kagome who had handed her a plate. Kagome was grateful to Kyou for the interruption from her thoughts, but seeing Kouga only made it worse, dirty, very impure thoughts were racing in her mind, she tried hard to block it out, thankfully the healer gave her another interruption, not a good one at all though…

Kyou smirked an opportunity to fuel the fire of the wolf's and dog's rage was open and she wasn't about to let the flames die just yet, "Kagome dear, you have some sauce on your face, let me get it."

With that she leaned towards Kagome, giving a quick glance at the hanyou and ookami, she stopped centimeters away from Kagome face and before it happened, Kagome could only gasp in surprise. That's right Kyou licked her. Right next to her mouth where some sauce for the omelet had strayed.

Kyou didn't miss the shocked looks on Miroku and Sango's faces or the looks of hatred and the loud growling from the wolf and dog. This was going right where she wanted it to, Kyou swiftly dipped her hand into the sauce on her own plate and spread it over Kagome's face, smirking intensely.

"My, my Kagome dear you have more sauce on you." more growls where heard as Inuyasha and Kouga made their way over, "Inuyasha, Kouga why not get it for her?"

At that Inuyasha stopped, blushing, but Kouga kept on going towards the two women. His mind told him to stand down, however something about the thought of licking Kagome…amongst other things, seemed…nice…his instincts and feelings got the better of him, he dropped to his knees in front of a blushing Kagome and held her face in his hands, licking some sauce off of her cheek.

Kyou had gotten up and was sitting by a tree eating; it was best to let the wolf take on the cleaning for now. She'd just sit back and watch the scene play out. She looked to the monk and slayer, the slayer had the monks eyes covered and the monk had the fox child's covered. She then looked to Inuyasha who was, well, seething may be to light a word, boiling didn't quite match up either.

"You…You…" Kyou watched fixedly, smirking once more as she ate, this was going better than she had expected. "You MANGEY WOLF! GET YOUR FILTHY PAWS OFF OF KAGOME!"

Inuyasha was beyond pissed, for two reasons. One being that the wolf had gotten so close to Kagome, two being the reaction he got out of Kagome. Kagome didn't push him off or tell him to stop or…anything for that matter, plus by the smell she was giving off, she liked it… She gave off a smell for the wolf that she had never given off before, she's…she's…ewww…How can anyone get excited over that…that revolting wolf? So, Inuyasha did the only thing a slightly sane hanyou would do when his shard detector, not to mention, possible mate choice was being pampered by another man… He jumped onto Kouga and wrestled him to the ground whilst trying to…well…kill him basically.

Kagome shook her head free of the dirty thoughts she had and watched as Inuyasha and Kouga rolled across the forest floor trying to strangle one another. She didn't like them fighting but asking them to stop never helped and she couldn't 'sit' Inuyasha because he'd land on Kouga, how could she squash such a stunning wolf? Wait…did I just think that? What in the world is happening! Kagome found her self zoned out in her thoughts again, blushing madly as she tried to sort through them.

In the midst of the battle the monk and kit could now see clearly. Miroku looked to the fighting men on the forest ground and to the smirking healer who so gleefully watched them. He got to his feet and walked to the healer. "Kyou, you wouldn't happen to know anything about what has been going on between lady Kagome and Kouga, would you?" One eyebrow rose as he interrogated the girl who didn't even seem to pay him any heed.

"What gave you that idea, Houshi? It's no fault of mine if they have feelings for one another. However, I must say that this fight must stop, it wouldn't do to have my entertainment die." She looked to the hanyou and youkai and shouted, "Oi, as much as I enjoy watching you two men roll around on top of each other like that, I must ask you to stop your play. That is…unless you'd like to play in a different way, Miroku can join!"

She smiled as the two fighting males quickly jumped away from each other in obvious horror and as the monk seemed to gag incessantly as his eyes bulged at the notion, I can't help but wonder what else is bulging… Oh, my, my, now I'm turning into a pervert. Those potions must finally be taking their toll. She internally laughed at her self and finished off what little food was left on her plate.

The scene not so soon forgot, yet overlooked as best as possible, the team packed up and continued on to find a village that might know something.

They traveled for most of the day until Inuyasha and Kouga caught a scent of village life and they headed towards it. It was getting late and if they hurried they could make it before nightfall.

"We can finally sleep in real futons! No forest ground and sleeping bag tonight!" Kagome smiled cheerfully. Her thoughts still distressed her, but she did her best to ignore them.

They soon found themselves in a small village filled with people. "Kyou, do you recognize this village at all?" Sango looked to the healer in question.

"Hm…not really, I recognize some of the people though." She smiled at Sango and walked to one of the villagers. "Hello there!"

The other's followed her, the sooner they found out where her brother was the better.

"Who are you?" the villager had black hair cut short and dark brown eyes. He wore a type of yukata, he was obviously off to bed.

Shippou looked to Kyou, did she know this villager or was she just playing another trick? Shippou may have been a child, but he wasn't dumb, he could tell just as well as Miroku could that Kyou had been up to something and probably still was.

"How can you not remember?" Kyou tried to look offended, "We've known one another for oh so long my dear Aki-chan." She sniffled and falsely sobbed as the group sweat dropped.

The villager that Kyou called Aki blinked and his mouth formed a small 'o', "Oh, Kiyomi-chan is that really you? You've gotten shorter? And how many time's must I tell you my name's Akimo not Aki-chan."

Kyou smacked him across the head, "Idiot, and how many times must I say? Kyou, I'm Kyou!" She cleared her throat as her male voice was cracking as she spoke, "Now that you remember me, do you know where my brother's village might be?" Smiling innocently she clung to his arm.

The other's looked at him as though also waiting on his answer.

Aki or Akimo smiled nervously, "Erm…you have a brother?"

"Eh?" Kagome couldn't believe what she just heard. Don't tell me he doesn't even know Kyou-kun has a brother…well I guess he did just say that…Oh lord! We'll be looking around for it forever at this rate! I don't think I can take much more of this. Kagome sighed internally, hoping silently that she just miss heard the boy.

"You don't remember?" Kyou's eyes went wide in mock shock, "Come then I shall remind you!" She grabbed Aki's wrist and haled him towards a random hut, stopping momentarily to ask one of the village women to help 'Dear Kagome' and the others to bed.

They watched as one woman disappeared into a hut and another came. "Follow me, I'll show you to your quarters for the night." she smiled, her hair was long and was a dark brown in color, her eyes matched her hair and her skin was fair. She also wore a yukata.

A long silence was known as they followed the woman. That is until Miroku asked her a special inquiry and got whacked by Sango. No surprises there. Kagome thought it was about time to break the silence.

"So, you know Kyou-kun as well?"

"To be honest, I have never meet Kyou-kun. However his potions are practically legendary around here."

"I see." Kagome then figured as long as they're here they may as well search for clues on the shards and Naraku as well, "Tell me, do you know of the Shikon no Tama?"

The girl gave Kagome a confused look, "Of course I know of it, who doesn't these days?" she gave a small laugh.

"I guess that's true. You wouldn't happen to know where we could find some? Or have you heard of a man called Naraku? If you have any information please let us know!"

"I'm sorry, I haven't heard anything about the jewel shards for months now. And I don't believe I've ever heard that name before. Is he a demon?"

"Yes, Naraku is the most evil demon there is!" Shippou thought it was time to butt into the conversation and give his two senses.

"Hm, oh my. That sounds horrible. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it, but, a while ago an ominous cloud passed over head."

"An ominous cloud? What way was it heading?" Inuyasha and the gang had heard of this cloud before it did have something to do with Naraku, he sure of it. If this woman says it was heading northeast then we know that must be where Naraku is. Every one who has seen it all say it was heading towards the ox-tiger.

(Anou, I'm not sure that ox-tiger is right. Forgive me if I've made a mistake. u.u)

"I'm not really sure. I wasn't here at the time. However I've heard from others that it was heading in that direction." She pointed northeast and Inuyasha smirked, they defiantly knew what way to go now. "Or was it that way?" She pointed northwest and seemed perplexed, "I can't seem to remember, sorry." She looked down slightly shamefaced as Inuyasha's face fell.

Kagome sighed; I guess we won't find out much more here…

"Ah! Here we are, you will stay in this room for the night. It is our largest, though, if you would like separate rooms then that can be arranged." She gave them a friendly smile.

"One room is fine for now, I don't think there will be any problems with a room this big." Sango looked over the room, it may as well be a hut, it was huge.

The woman nodded and turned to leave, "Very well, I shall inform Kyou of were you are."

Miroku sighed and sat on one of the futons, "It doesn't seem as though our quest for Naraku will be getting any easier."

"No it doesn't. I suppose the best we can do is keep on traveling until we catch a clue or until Inuyasha or Kouga catches a scent." Sango sat by Kagome and they both sighed in union, as Kouga and Inuyasha fought over were the futons should go and who was or wasn't going to be positioned by Kagome.

In all truth by what Kagome's thoughts had been Kouga should be positioned by her…no that's to innocent for what Kagome's newly perverse mind was thinking.

Shortly after they had all settled down Shippou, who was sleeping with Kagome as usual piped up yet again, "I wonder where Kyou is; she has been gone a long time."

Inuyasha sniffed a bit; "now that you mention it…" he sniffed again and looked towards the door his ears twitching ever so slightly.

Kagome gave him a confused look, it didn't last long though, her mind left no room for any other concern that didn't have to do with Kouga. She sighed at her own ill thoughts when the boy from before walked in, Kyou not far behind. "Oh Kyou-kun, welcome back." She gave the healer a friendly smile, glad the healer had once again interrupted her thoughts.

"Hey Kagome dear!" Kyou smiled brightly at the miko and took a seat beside her; "Aki-chan here has some news for us. Or so he says." She glanced to the boy and gave what looked to be a threatening or possibly evil look, but covered it up by grinning sweetly afterwards.

The boy cleared his throat before speaking, "Yes, well, you say you're going to Kiyom-" he was cut off by a sharp blow to his stomach, "I mean, Kyou's brother's village yes? Well, I am sorry to say that you are heading into the wrong direction."

Inuyasha's eyes went wide, "We're what?" They had been traveling for days on end and they were going in the wrong direction? That's bullshit! He scowled lowly while glaring.

Kouga's eye twitched, like hell we're going the wrong way! Knowing this wench there probably isn't even a village, hell I bet she doesn't even have a brother! His eyes narrowed as he looked at the woman called a healer, healer my ass… then he looked past her to the woman beside her, How could she even think to put Kagome's life at risk? How can any one do something like that to someone so beautiful, so stunning, so sweet, so…so… and thus the mind is lost in dirty thoughts…

"I'm sorry, but it is true. You should be heading towards the ox-tiger." He pointed northeast.

"The…the ox-tiger?" Sango gasped, that's the direction we where heading to find Naraku! What luck! "This is great, now we can look for Naraku while we search for the village!"

Kagome gave her friend a smile, "Right! That's one way to kill two birds with one stone!" she laughed impishly and sweat dropped as everyone gave her strange stares. Oh that phrase must not exist yet…

"Alright then, we'll head that way first thing in morning." Kyou got up from her spot and followed Aki out the door; "You get some sleep, from what I hear we'll be in for quite the walk tomorrow. See you in the morning!"

The night came and went in what seemed like mere minutes for everyone but Kagome and Kouga. The two were drugged; unbeknownst to Kagome, and their dreams ailed them to no end. Kouga dreamed of mating Kagome and their strong future filled with pups and a dead Kagura; while Kagome dreamed of Kouga and her moving to her time, seeing Kouga in modern cloths and doing things that might lead to a family later on, she even dreamed of what their kids would look like.

Kagome woke up flushed; I cannot believe I dreamed that! What happened to my normal dreams about Inuyasha telling me he loves me then switching around and calling me mean names? What happened to my dreams of passing my math tests and getting into high school? Why am I dreaming about Kouga, I love Inuyasha, don't I? She sighed and tried to clear her thoughts, they were going in the direction of Naraku, now was certainly not the time to think about something like this.

Kouga woke a bit more than flushed, however, his pelt was so heavy most wouldn't notice. Damn that woman! He shook his head stifling a growl and chose it to be best to have a quick dip in a cold pond or lake before they left.

Soon the group was off towards the ox-tiger, Kagome kept talking and doing things to keep her mind busy. And Kouga just tried to redirect his thoughts to something more…we'll anything that wouldn't have to do with Kagome and her perfect curves.

It wasn't long before they were once more out of the village and into the forest.

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That's all for now!

What awaits our heroes? And what happens when Hakkaku and Ginta come to check up and Kouga and stumble upon on of Kyou's potions?

Find out next time in… "The Battle Between Three for The Heart of an Ookami"!

Ja ne! n.n