A/N: Of course, I HAD to dedicate a chapter to the Inuyasha's and Kouga's battle of the stupid. Besides, I'm deciding on whether or not to make Kouga have an important role. I'm also deciding on whether or not to give Kirara a human form. -grins- That would so amuse me. And yes, I know, this is a short chapter.

Inuyasha had been up long before the sun and was content now in watching it rise to greet the earth. He had spent most of the night brooding over Kagome's sudden interest in his brother. 'Look, I don't care how much you might hate him, he still needs help.' The hanyou crossed his arms against his chest in an irritated manner; his ears twitched involuntarily against the breeze.

'Inuyasha!' Kagome called out half anxious that the Inu-hanyou hadn't yet returned and half aggravated for the very same reason.

'Kagome... please go easy on him,' Sango said. 'You know how much he dislikes his brother. You can't have expected him to stick around.'

'Besides, We don't want to listen to the pair of you arguing all day long. We've already got enough of that,' said Shippou very matter-of-factly.

'What do you mean by that?' Sango asked with an arched eyebrow.

'It's just... you and Miroku... you see.' The little youkai cowered under Sango's analytical face.

'Well, you won't have to hear a single word of it after I-' She was cut off by Inuyasha's sudden arrival.

Shippou continued on, muttering under his breath. 'Apparently she's still sensitive about the last village we stayed at...'

'Where did you run off to this time?'

'What do you care? You were busy fraternising with Sesshoumaru.'

'Fraternising? Since when did you know what 'fraternising' meant?'

'I'm not STUPID!'

'THEN STOP ACTING LIKE IT!' Kagome bellowed, ignoring Shippou as he pulled at her sleeve.

'Isn't that... Kouga?' Miroku piped up.

A handsome looking wolf demon sped down the path and halted before the bickering couple. His pack raced along to catch up. 'I thought I heard your mutt voice. Why are you yelling at Kagome like that?' Kouga paused, glanced at Kagome, and smiled. 'Such a precious maiden shouldn't have to endure-'

'Shut your mouth.'

'If it weren't for Lady Kagome's wishes I'd skin you alive.'

'I dare you! You're nothing but a big, fat, idiot.'

'Big... fat... Depends on where you looking.' Kagome and Sango cringed. 'As for idiot... the only one I see here is you.'

'Baka... baka, baka, BAKA!'

'Baka, baka, baka, baka, BAKA!'

Kagome leaned over to Sango. 'If I didn't know better, I'd say they were a couple of obnoxious children.'

'No, just obnoxious teenagers.'

'Let's go.' While the two boys continued on with their perpetual insults, the others turned and headed further east.

'See,' Kouga taunted. 'You're pack has left without you. Apparently they agree when I say you're a dunce.'

Inuyasha glared, then smirked. 'I wouldn't speak so soon.' He pointed south where the wolves and wolf youkai had their backs to Kouga, clearly heading in the opposite direction.

'GET BACK HERE, YOU DISLOYAL BASTARDS!'

'It's nice to see you've a cool head on your shoulders.' Inuyasha snickered.

'Shut up, stupid! STUUUPIIID!'

'I feel so... embarrassed,' Kagome muttered to Sango while listening to the still audible bickering that might very well be heard for miles. She blushed

Sango stifled her laughter. 'At least he hasn't well- at least he isn't like Miroku.'

'You make it out as if I'm so terrible,' the monk said a little annoyed.

In reply to some of my reviews:

JulieMRose989- I thank you for your loyalty. Thus far it seems that you've given me a review for ever chapter... :)

Yukouchi- Trust me... I have a plot. I suppose my writing is a bit more drawn out, though. I'll try to put more action in.

COMING NEXT... CHAPTER SIX: ENTER: NARAKU